m 



Si'i'i'ii'^.i'.' 



wM' 















'WMS 




Class. 
Book. 



E^x 



,Crl6 



Copyright 1^°„ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 






WILLIAM GRAY OF SALEM 
MERCHANT 



/ 



WILLIAM 



GRAY 

Of Salem, Merchant 



A Biographical Sketch by 



Ctitoarti (l^rap 



With Portraits and other Illustrations ^ 









Boston and New York 
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 

1914 



r49 



COPYRIGHT, I914) BY EDWARD GRAY 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



Published July ic)i4 



FIVE HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED AT THE RIVERSIDE 
PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U. S. A. NO. "^PJ 



AUG -8 1914^^' 

)CI.Ao'7(>J)80^ 



FOREWORD 



WHEN I undertook to write a life of William 
Gray, I knew that all his papers with the ex- 
ception of one letter-book, from which many 
of my ideas of his commercial transactions are taken, were 
destroyed in the Boston fire of 1872, and that I should 
have to rely on contemporary notices in the newspapers 
and in diaries of individuals for facts ; but I little realized 
what else was in store for me. In 1782 there were three 
William Grays in Salem. The one here discussed was 
known as William Gray, Tertius, and not to be confounded 
with William Gray, the sea captain, who made a brilliant 
record as captain of privateers during the Revolution. In 
1798, at which date our William Gray was known as 
William Gray, Jr., the confusion is even worse. There 
were then at least five William Grays in Salem. I find in 
the Laws and Resolves of Massachusetts, February 5, 1798, 
chapter 37, that "William Gray the fifth of Salem in the 
county of Essex, son of William Gray the third of said 
Salem, be empowered to take the name of William Shep- 
ardGray"; also in 1802, June 2 3, chapter 14, "that William 
Gray, a minor, son of William Gray Junior of Salem be 
allowed to take the name of William Rufus Gray." In 
writing this sketch, I have tried to err always on the safe 
side, and not credit my subject with anything which re- 
fers to a William Gray about whose identity I am at all 
doubtful. 

The portrait of Mr. Gray reproduced here was painted 

by 



vi Foreword 

by Gilbert Stuart in 1807, and his signature is taken from 
a letter to Mr. John Quincy Adams dated August 4, 
1 809, in the Adams Papers. My thanks are due to all who 
have so kindly assisted me, and particularly to Mr. George 
Francis Dow, of the Essex Institute, Mr. Worthington 
C. Ford, of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and Mr. 
John Chipman Gray. 

E. G. 

Groton, Massachusetts, 19 13. 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



William Gray Frontispiece 

From a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1807. In possession of Miss Isa E. 
Gray. 

Mrs. William Gray (Elizabeth Chipman) . . 8 

From a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1807. In possession of John Chipman 
Gray, Esq. 

A Letter of William Gray ..... 24 

From the original in possession of the Peabody Academy of Science. 

William Gray's House, Salem ..... 30 

Drawn by Ralph W. Gray, Esq. , from a lithograph of it (Lafayette Coffee 
House), and a photograph taken at a later date (Essex House). 

William Gray Homestead, Cambridge ... 48 

The property of John Chipman Gray, Esq. 

William Gray ........ 80 

From a bust by Dexter. In possession of the Peabody Academy of Science. 



Ship Fanny, William Gray, owner; Captain Kinsman, 
MASTER ......... 

From the copy of the painting by M. Come, 1801. In possession of the 
Peabody Academy of Science. 



98 



Ship Ulysses, William Gray, owner; William Mug- 
ford, MASTER ........ 100 

From a water-color by Anton Roux, painted at Marseilles, 1804, showing 
the temporary rudder, by means of which the ship safely reached that port, 
about to be put in place. In possession of the Peabody Academy of 
Science. 



Vlll 



Illustrations 



Letter of marque, Brig Grand Turk of 14 guns, 
William Gray, owner; William Austin, com- 
mander, SALUTING Marseilles . • • • 

From a water-color by Anton Roux, painted at Marseilles, 18x5. I" 
possession of the Peabody Academy of Science. 



106 



WILLIAM GRAY OF SALEM 
MERCHANT 



WILLIAM GRAY 

Of Salem, Merchant 

CHAPTER I 

1750-1 800 

WILLIAM GRAY, or, as he was often called, 
"Billy" Gray, was the oldest son of Abraham 
Gray, of Lynn, Massachusetts, and Lydia Galley, 
daughter of Francis Galley, of Marblehead. He was born 
in Lynn on June 27, 1750, old style, equal to July 8, new 
style,' in a gambrel-roofed wooden house which stood 
until quite recently on Marion Street, near the Boston 
Road. William Gray, his grandfather, for whom he was 
named, I find mentioned in the Essex County deeds as 
husbandman and cordwainer, and he is said to have ini- 
tiated the manufacture of shoes by operatives in Lynn.* 
Our William's father, Abraham Gray, seems to have fol- 
lowed along the same lines, being one of the first shoe 
manufacturers in Lynn who employed journeymen and 
apprentices.^ When William was still a small boy, 

' I have the above dates in Mr. Gray's handwriting. — Author. 

' Lynn Weekly Reporter ^ July 2, 1864. 

' Alonzo Lewis, History of Lynn (second edition), p. 243. 

Abraham 



4 William Gray 

Abraham Gray moved to Salem ; he took this step some- 
time between 1760 and 1763, as the Lynn records show- 
that his son, Samuel, was baptized in Lynn, August 10, 
1760, and the records of the First Church in Salem that 
"Francis Cawley [Calley], infant son of Mr. Abraham 
Gray,'* was baptized December 29, 1762.' After taking 
up his residence in Salem, Abraham Gray continued for 
many years to be Deacon of the First Church — until 
his death in 1791. He was buried in the Charter Street 
Burying-Ground, his tomb standing among those near 
the entrance. 

Of William Gray's youth little is known, except that 
he was apprenticed at an early age to Samuel Gardner, 
Esq., of Salem, and later entered the counting-house of 
Richard Derby, Esq., of the same port. He seems to have 
stepped from the counting-house to mercantile life, as I 
can find no record whatever of his going to sea, and he be- 
gan business for himself when he was about twenty-eight 
years old. 

At this period, there were three William Grays in 
Salem: Captain William Gray, who made a brilliant 
record as master of letters of marque during the Revo- 
lution; William Gray, Jr. (of another family); and Wil- 
liam Gray, Tertius, our William, who, though he was the 
son of Abraham Gray, and only a distant relative, if any, 
of the other two, seems to have been called "Tertius" 
because he was the third in point of seniority. Any one 

' Essex Institute Historical Collections, vol. viii, p. 212. In the 
Essex County Deeds, 107 : 273, Abraham Gray is called " of Lynn " on 
February 21, 1761, and "of Salem," February 26, 1762. 

who 



of Salem, Merchant 



who wishes to compare the signatures of" Wm. Gray Ter.," 
as bonder of letters of marque/ or as signed to the pe- 
titions to the Governor of Massachusetts for the appoint- 
ment of masters to the said letters of marque/ with the 
later signatures of our William Gray, can assure himself 
of the fact that our William Gray was William Gray, 
Tertius. He is also called "Tertius'* in his marriage 
notice in the Salem "Gazette," which I have printed in 
full a few pages later on. His grandson, William Gray, of 
Boston, writes of him as follows: "He was rather below 
the medium height, and his manners were singularly 
simple and genial, his only peculiarity of dress being the 
plaited queue much worn in his day." His portrait, 
painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1807, when Mr. Gray was 
fifty-seven years old, shows a pleasant-looking man, not 
at all handsome, with sandy hair parted in the middle 
and worn in a queue, a broad forehead and high cheek- 
bones, deep-blue eyes, and a ruddy complexion. The gen- 
eral effect of the face is determination of purpose and a 
certain kindly sense of humor. 

In the troublous times prior to the Revolution, William 
Gray joined the militia in Salem. When hostilities broke 
out, his company, under Colonel Timothy Pickering, made 
a forced march to Lexington, arriving, however, only in 
time to exchange a few shots with the retreating British.^ 
After the battle, the Continental Congress deemed it wise 

' Papers of the Continental Congress, Library of Congress, no. 196, vol. 
3> PP- 7i> 74; vol. 7, pp. 40, 53; vol. 8, p. 31; vol. 15, pp. 39,81,98. 

" Massachusetts Archives, vol. 172, pp. 63, 220, 229, 263, 270. 

3 Lynn Weekly Reporter^ July 2, 1864 ; also a letter written by Colonel 
Samuel Swett, June 11, 1864. 

to 



6 William Gray 

to send word of the engagement as well as of the general 
state of affairs in this country to England, so that another 
side of the question might be presented to the British pub- 
lic than that shown in the official report sent from Boston. 
As it was of utmost importance that their report should 
reach England before the official report, the Quero, a 
fast-sailing ship, belonging to Richard Derby, Esq., of 
Salem, was selected to carry the news. In the bill rendered 
to the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and paid August i, 
1775,1 find that William Gray contributed ;^io sterling 
toward the outfit of the vessel.' This ;^io from William 
Gray and the pay of John Derby, as captain of the ex- 
pedition, who, in the bill rendered, modestly estimated the 
value of his time and services at " o," were the only con- 
tributions made by individual citizens toward the expenses 
of the voyage. 

The following April (1776) the 3d Company of the 
First Regiment of Essex Militia elected as officers : Rich- 
ard Ward, captain; Miles Greenwood, ist lieutenant; 
William Gray, 3d, 2d lieutenant,"" and I find in " Massa- 

' I have compared very carefully the signatures of William Gray, Ter- 
tius, with the handwriting of the bill rendered for the Quero in 1775 
(Massachusetts Archives, vol. 206, p. 94), and have come to the con- 
clusion that William Gray, Tertius (our William) wrote the bill and was 
probably a cleYk in Richard Derby's counting-house at this time. That 
being the case, it seems very probable that the William Gray mentioned 
was he, as he was in a position to know the cost and needs of the voyage. 
Robert S. Rantoul, Esq., attributes the ;^io to our William Gray. (Essex 
Institute Historical Collections, vol. xxxvi, p. 21.) The incident seems 
to me of enough interest to insert on the chance that the William Gray 
mentioned was our William Gray. 

' Pickering Manuscripts, Massachusetts Historical Society, vol. 56, p. 78. 

chusetts 



of Salem, Merchant 



chusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War," 
vol. VI, p. 783 : — 

"William Gray 3rd, 2nd Lieut. Captain Richard 
Ward's (3rd) Company, ist Essex Co. regt. of Mass. mili- 
tia; return dated Salem May 15th, 1776, signed by Col. 
Timothy Pickering Jr. and Joseph Sprague, of officers 
chosen by the several companies of militia in Salem and 
returned to be commissioned, said officers accepting the 
appointments, however, only upon condition that the 
General Court would compel a more equal distribution as 
to the persons required to undergo military training and 
to be subject to service calls, and also in order that the 
existing companies might be kept fully trained and 
equipped; ordered in Council June 6, 1776, that said 
officers be commissioned; reported commissioned June 
6, 1776." 

Whether or not Mr. Gray saw any active service in the 
above capacity, I do not know. 

Owing to our almost entire lack of a navy during the 
Revolution, the Continental Congress issued privateer 
licenses and "letters of marque" to individuals, in order 
to supply the deficiency in fighting ships. A letter-of- 
marque vessel carried a cargo to a destined port or ports, 
taking prizes if they came in her way, and defending her- 
self against the enemy as a regularly commissioned private 
ship of war under heavy bonds to her government to obey 
the rules of warfare, thus combining commerce and war. 
Our William Gray was owner or part owner of several 
of these privately armed vessels during the latter part of 
the war, and from time to time his ships captured some 

British 



8 William Gray 

British property.* His activities, however, seem to have 
been confined to equipping his vessels, as I do not find 
any record of his going to sea himself.^ 

During this period, with daily life full of the business 
of war and of sending forth letters of marque, Mr. Gray 
was deep as well in the art of love. He evidently found 
time to court the pretty and vivacious Miss Elizabeth 
Chipman, daughter of Hon. John Chipman and Eliza- 
beth Brown Chipman, of Marblehead. His attentions 
proved successful if not altogether acceptable to the friends 
of the young lady, for the rumor goes that the Chipmans 
did not look with too much favor on the suit of young 
William Gray, feeling that his prospects were not good 
enough at the time to support Miss Chipman in the same 
comfort to which she was accustomed.^ However this 
may be, the marriage took place, and his " darling Betsey," 
as he then and afterwards called his wife, became Mrs. 
William Gray on March 29, 1782. The notice of the 
marriage appears in the Salem "Gazette" as follows: 

' Pickering Manuscripts, vol. 28, p. 389. Letter from G. Cabot, 
December 13, 1808. Mr. Cabot was evidently not a particular friend of 
Mr. Gray when this letter was written (the Embargo period), and inti- 
mated that he returned the property to the British; but it seems hardly 
likely that a man would go to the expense of arming a vessel, and to the 
risk of total loss during an engagement, merely to return the captured 
property to the enemy. For a list of letters of marque of which our 
William Gray was owner or part owner, see Appendix A. 

^ The Captain William Gray, with a brilliant record as captain of 
privateers and letters of marque, is not the same as William Gray, Ter- 
tius. The signatures of both men are among the Massachusetts Archives, 
and William Gray, Tertius, is our William Gray. 

3 Alonzo Lewis and James R. Newhall, History of Lynn ^ p. 499. 

" Married 



il 






■ 


iHBBk' Ih^I^I 






^1 








H 








1 




f-< 


1^ ^-^W- 





"^k^t-^^^-p^ 



of Salem, Merchant 



" Married, on Friday last, Mr. William Gray, Tertius, of 
this town, merchant, to Miss Betsey Chipman, daughter 
of the late John Chipman, Esq., of Marblehead." ^ It is 
interesting to note in this connection that her brother. 
Ward Chipman, at the outbreak of the Revolution, re- 
mained loyal to Great Britain, and fled to Boston. When 
the British evacuated that town, he left with the troops 
and went to New York, finally joining the Loyalist 
colony in New Brunswick, where he became judge of 
the Supreme Judicial Court. The portrait of his sister, 
Mrs. Gray, painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1807, shows 
her at the age of fifty-one, a handsome woman — brown 
eyes combined with auburn hair and a vivacious and 
pleasing expression about the mouth, high coloring, and 
an erect and well-rounded figure. She is gowned in 
satin and lace, and has, as she sits looking out at 
us from her background of crimson drapery, a certain 
distinction of face and character that charms one at 
once. 

Their first child, William, who later had his name 
changed by an act of the Legislature to William Rufus 
Gray"" because of the number of William Grays in Salem, 
was born June 23, 1783. Mr. Gray's business ventures 
having proved by this time so successful, he bought, a few 
months after his boy was born, the house of Mr. William 

* Salem Gazette^ Thursday, April 4, 1782. Mr. Gray himself wrote 
the date as March 29, Records of the First Church, Salem, give date as 
March 28. 

* Laws and Resolves of Massachusetts, chap. 14, June 23, 1802. 
" And that William Gray, a minor, son of William Gray, Junr. of Salem, 
be allowed to take the name of William Rufus Gray." 

Browne 



lo William Gray 

Browne, on Essex Street/ Here most of the other chil- 
dren were born, and the family lived until 1800, after 
which time they built for themselves a new house on the 
opposite side of the street. 

By 1783, William Gray began to take an active part 
in the town affairs of Salem, the selectmen for that year 
being Messrs. William West, John Appleton, Joshua 
Ward, Jerathmeel Peirce, William Gray, Tertius, all of 
whom were reelected the two following years.^ In May, 
1785, George Williams, Esq., the Honorable Benjamin 
Goodhue, Esq., Mr. Samuel Page, and Mr. William Gray, 
Tertius, were chosen to represent Salem at the General 
Court for the year ensuing.^ The following November, 
1785, Captain William Gray died ^ and William Gray, 
Tertius, became known as William Gray, Jr., the select- 
men for 1786 being: Messrs. William West, John Apple- 
ton, Jerathmeel Peirce, William Gray, Jr., Joshua Ward,5 
as in the three preceding years, except that William Gray, 
Tertius, is called William Gray, Jr.^ The next year there 
was a change in selectmen, Joseph Sprague, Esq., Mr. 

' Essex Antiquarian^ vol. viii, p. 114. The house was bought Septem- 
ber 17, 1783, for ;^I003. Mr. Gray sold it in 1805 for ^13,500. 

^ Salem Gazette^ March 27, 1 783; March 25, 1784; April 5, 1785. 

3 Ibid., May lO, 1785. 

* Ibid., November 22, 1785. "Died on Friday last, Captain William 
Gray of this town, in the 41st year of his age." 

5 Salem Chronicle and Essex Advertiser, April 7, 1786. 

^ Captain William Gray having died, William Gray, Jr., became plain 
William Gray, and William Gray, Tertius, became William Gray, Jr. 
Essex County Deeds, 145: 219: a deed signed May 3, 1786, by Wil- 
liam Gray, Jr., in which William Gray, Jr., of Salem, Merchant, is re- 
corded as having recovered a judgment by the name of William Gray, 

William 



of Salem, Merchant 1 1 

William Gray, Jr., Edward Pulling, Esq., Edward Norris, 
Esq., and Mr. John Hathorne being chosen.' 

In December, 1787, "at a meeting of the town of 
Salem to choose members of the Convention to consider 
the Federal Constitution, two hundred and eight voters 
were present, and the following gentlemen were chosen: 
Richard Manning, Esq., Edward Pullen, Esq., Mr. 
Francis Cabot, and Mr. William Gray, Jr." ^ The present 
Constitution of the United States was first drawn up by a 
convention which assembled for the purpose at Philadel- 
phia, and was then submitted to the several States for ratifi- 
cation. The Massachusetts State Convention assembled in 
January, 1788. At the outset, public feeling and a ma- 
jority of the convention were against the Constitution, 
but it was finally adopted by a majority of only nineteen 
votes, William Gray, Jr., being among the "yeas."^ 
After the ratification the members of the convention dined 
together, toasts were drunk, and the asperities of debate 
were forgotten for the moment in a general sense of satis- 
faction and relief that the Constitution had been adopted.'^ 

the third, of Salem, Merchant, "on which an execution issued returnable 
into the Court of Common Pleas to be holden at Salem aforesaid on the 
first Tuesday of December last past &c." Mr. Gray's earliest signature 
as William Gray, Jr., that I have found, is April 29, 1788, in the Essex 
Institute Museum. From now on until 1806, our William Gray was 
known as William Gray, Jr. 

* Salem Mercury^ April 7, 1787. 

* Diary of William Bentley^ D.D. (referred to hereafter as Bentley), 
vol. I, p. 84, December 5, 1787. 

3 Salem Mercury^ February 12, 1788. The Boston Gazette and the 
Country "Journal^ February 11, 1788. 

'^ Memorial History of Boston^ vol. iii, p. 196. 

In 



12 William Gray 

In 1789, General Washington, President of the United 
States, made an official visit to New England, and arrived 
in Salem on Thursday, October 29. Orders were issued 
in the town for the inhabitants to assemble at one o'clock 
to greet the President; at two he arrived from Marble- 
head and there were numerous festivities. In the evening 
he received the principal gentlemen of the town, and after 
seven o'clock attended the assembly and stayed until after 
nine. According to Mr. Bentley," who was present at the 
assembly, "the ladies were numerous and brilliant, and 
the gentlemen were also numerous." The dress worn by 
Mrs. Gray on this occasion is preserved in the Essex Insti- 
tute Museum at Salem ; it is of rich flowered brocade, a 
delicate shade of pink, and was treasured in the family 
for many years before being presented to the Museum. 

Mr. William Gray, Jr., was mentioned as a State Sen- 
ator from the County of Essex in 1792,'' and received the 
second highest number of votes in Salem for that office,^ 
but he was not elected. About this time the merchants 
of Salem were beginning to feel the need of a bank, and 
in 1792 the Essex Bank was organized with banking- 
rooms in a part of the Custom House, William Gray, 
Jr., being chosen its first president.'^ 

As soon as the Revolution was over and peace had been 
declared, William Gray launched into foreign trade, and 
his commerce grew so rapidly that by 1792 it had reached 

* Bentley, vol. i, p. 131, October 29, 1789. 
» Salem Gaxette^ March 27, 1792. 

J Ibid., April 3, 1792; June 5, 1792. 

* Ibid., June 19, 1792. 

large 



of Salem, Merchant 13 

large proportions. He was one of the first of the Salem 
merchants to embark in the trade with India and China, 
the brig William and Henry, belonging to Messrs. Gray and 
Orne, arriving from Canton in 1790.' In 1792, Captain 
William Ward sailed for the East in the brig Enterprise, 
and I give Mr. Gray's letter of instructions to him: — 

Salem Aug. 9, 1792. 
Capt. William Ward, — 

The Brig Enterprise under your command being ready 
for sea, you will embrace the first opportunity and pro- 
ceed for the Cape of Good Hope — upon your arrival 
sell such part of the cargo as you can to advantage which 
I suppose will be the Russia duck, coles and such other 
part of your cargo as you think proper. I then advise you, 
if you can, to purchase about twenty hogsheads of brandy 
and from 60 to 80 hogsheads wine, such as is best calculated 
for the Isle of France market, some raisins and almonds, 
and then proceed for the Isle of France, then sell your 
cargo or such part as you think for my interest to sell, 
which I expect will be the whole, when you have sold 
if you can find any sugar, coffee, tea. Indigo, or cotton 
that will pay one hundred per cent profitt reckoning 
them to sell at the price you have at foot then I advise 
you to come back with such of those articles as you find 
will do best if you cannot find goods to answer to come 
home from the Isle of France, then I advise you to pro- 
ceed for Calcutta in the Bay of Bengal, and there take 

' Charles S. Osgood and Henry M. Batchelder, Historical Sketch of 
Salem^ p. 138. 

sugar 



14 William Gray 

sugar, saltpeters, Bandanno silk Handkerchiefs, or such 
other goods as you suppose will answer best in this market. 
If you have advise that nothing can be done to advantage 
at Calcutta then you may go to Canton if you can get a 
cargo of Black wood, cheep, provided you can make out 
a stock of $20,000. exclusive of the Black wood. When 
you arrive at Canton after selling your wood take on 
board as much Bohea tea, as the Brig will carry with 
some China ware, nankeens, some black sattins, and such 
other silks as you suppose will best answer. When you 
have compleated your business in the East Indies proceed 
directly to this port by such rout as you think safest, if 
you should come home in the winter it may be well to 
touch at St. Eustatia and then lay till the spring ap- 
proaches, so that you may come on safer. I think it may 
be well to send your boat on shore of Triniti in Martinico 
where perhaps you will find letters from me. It will be best 
to sett your cooper at work as soon as you possibly can, 
and to agree for your wines and Brandies as soon as you 
can after you arrive, your cargo will sell for 10 to 20 per 
cent more to take wines and brandies than cash. 

Notwithstanding what I have wrote I would have you 
sell your whole cargo at Good Hope if you can obtain 
20 per cent advance and purchase sugars or any other 
goods that will pay fifty per cent profitt home, then pro- 
ceed directly for this port. If you have opportunity to 
sell the Brig Enterprise ' and appurtanance at a price that 
you think will answer and can lay out the money to 

' The brig Enterprise was 164 tons. For a list of Mr. Gray's ships 
and their tonnage, see Appendix B. 

advantage 



of Salem, Merchant 15 

advantage, do it. She cost five thousand dollars and 
will be worth that surely when she returns, you will take 
into your calculations what freight she will make home 
what you must pay freight and what you can make profitt 
upon the proceeds of the Brig. 

I expect your cargo will sell at the Isle of France at 
one hundred per cent profitt provided you get there be- 
fore Cathart who will sail from Boston in ten or twenty 
days after you. You can buy the Brandy and wine by 
the legar and then return them their casks by starting 
them into your own casks, which will save near one half 
the expense upon the whole. I leave this voyage to your 
prudent management resting assured that every exertion 
will be made by you (to promote my interest) that can 
be done. In case any accident should happen to Capt. 
Ward during the voyage then I appoint Mr. Benjamin 
Davison his present mate to persue the plan of the voyage 
and do and conduct as Capt. Ward would or should have 
done had no such accident have happened and in case any 
accident should happen to both Capt. Ward and Mr. 
Davison, then I appoint Mr. Jere Putnam the second 
mate to do and conduct the business as either of them 
would or could have done and follow those orders. 

Write me by all opportunities either to America or 
Europe. If to England, direct to the care of Messrs. Har- 
rison Ansly & Co in London, if to Spain to Gardoqui 
& Co in Bilboa. If to France then to the care of Messrs. 
Lanchon & Co at L'Orient. If to Denmark to the care 
Messrs. Ryberg & Co. at Copenhagen. If to Sweden then 
to the care of Mr. Thomas Erstein at Gottenburg. The 

port 



1 6 William Gray 

port charges at Canton I suppose about three thousand 
dollars, at Calcutta the port charges are small. If there 
is any obstruction to your trading at Calcutta you can do 
business at some other port a little above to as much ad- 
vantage. I think the favourable monsoons to go to Cal- 
cutta begin in May, I v^ould not have you run any great 
risk as I shall have little or no insurance. Capt. Ward 
having paid five per cent upon the amount of the cargo 
here, including the cash, at the return of the Effects, he 
is to receive ten per cent of the whole neat stock but 
not to charge any commission during the voyage except- 
ing such as he pays to some other person. But to charge 
the voyage all necessary charges. The five per cent ad- 
dition to the five he puts in is to pay him in lieu of com- 
mission. 

I further agree Captain Ward shall receive of the 
profitts that shall be made upon one hundred pound aver- 
aging my whole stock in this voyage at his return. — as 
a further consideration for his services. In case you can 
obtain a credit to advantage and lay out the amount so 
as to pay me profitt you may take to the amount of six 
thousand dollars and draw upon me — payable either here 
or in London — and your bills shall meet due honour. 

Wishing you Almighty protection and a prosperous 

voyage 

I am your Friend 

William Gray Jr. 
Salem loth August 1792.' 

' Letter in possession of George B. Dorr, Esq., of Boston. Captain 
William Ward was a brother-in-law of Mr. Gray, having married Miss 
Joanna Chipman, a sister of Mrs. Gray. 

This 



of Salem^ Merchant 17 

This letter shows not only what a thorough under- 
standing Mr. Gray had of the trade possibilities in the 
different ports mentioned, but also the profits which could 
be made if one were willing to take the risks, which 
were great in those days. The letter shows also how much 
the success of the voyage depended on the judgment of 
the captain, as, in most cases, the final decision as to what 
was best to do was left in his hands. 

Mr. Gray's shipping was not all done from Salem. 
Some of his vessels were loaded in New York, in fact, 
according to Mr. Bentley,' Mr. Gray thought very seri- 
ously of moving to that city in 1794, and made a journey 
there with that purpose in view in the fall of the same 
year. The following letter written by Mrs. Gray to her 
sister, Mrs. Nancy Ward, at Salem, describes some such 
journey. It is undated, but I have every reason to believe 
this is the journey she speaks of: — 

Thursday morning io o'clock. 
I have neither had time or spirits to write since we 
mounted our car in Salem at seven on Tuesday morn, 
we reached Bradeshes at Cambridge at half-past ten where 
we found a carriage so so, good horses but not handsome, 
and Silvanus^ waiting for us with elegant shoe and knee 
buckles, plated with gold, which Mr. Gray reluctantly 
consented to take. Sil had an elegant ladies watch which 
he lent me (let Aunt Ropes know this). The transition 

* Bentley, vol. 11, p. 109, October 9, 1794. 

* Sylvanus Gray, son of Winthrop Gray and Mary Gray, our William 
Gray's sister. 

from 



1 8 William Gray 

from Barrill's Jarke waggon to our light carriage made 
our journey onward more pleasing, we dined at Weston 
and slept at Marlborough. Facing the sun gave me a bad 
headache which added to my cold prevented my sleeping. 
I arose at midnight and opened the fire where I sat rumi- 
nating near an hour — when the pain in my head abated 
I went to bed and slept till five. We rose before six and 
breakfasted and pursued our journey. We stopped in 
Worcester an hour. Mr. G. and the boys walked out, 
while I traversed some dirty rooms and read Watts' psalms 
which I found in one of them. My head was so stuffed 
with a cold that not one new idea gained entrance, if it 
had the long steep hills in Northborough would have 
jolted it out. The fading prospects around were not in- 
spiring. The high hills in Leicester we gained the sum- 
mit of by one. Where while dinner was preparing a 
smutty boy gave Mr. G. an account of the progress of 
literature and rules of the academy and declared he would 
do as he advised us if he had children send them to it. We 
passed Mr. Moore's house but could not stop. We slept 
at Hitchcock's at Brookfield in the house that Mrs. 
Spooner dispatched her husband. Rode before breakfast 
this morning eight miles in the rain over hills a thou- 
sand feet from the surface of the earth, some of them 
very steep and rough. We breakfasted at Brimfield where 
the ample hostess was taking up beehives and drying 
pumkins for pies which she extolled above any other pye. 
I thought of neighbour C's apples. William's gibes keep 
us awake and Harry's history of beasts which he hot afford 
subjects of wonder and inquiry. We're now near a hun- 
dred 



of Salem^ Merchant 19 



dred miles from Salem in Palmer at a dirty house but my 
cold is much better. I think of home. Do tell Lydia to 
send soon two clean suits a week. I long to hear from 
home, my daughter, my son and my cherub. Do greet 
them for me — my letter is now waited for so I bid you 
an affectionate adieu. E, G. 

Thursday noon 

I fear the \sic\ will impede our farther progress to-day. 

Mrs. Nancy Ward 
Salem' 

» Letter in possession of George B. Dorr, Esq. This letter was prob- 
ably written between 1794 and 1797, as Mrs. Gray had five chil- 
dren living at that period, and five are mentioned. Rev. William Bentley 
speaks of Mr. Gray going to New York October 9, 1794 (vol. 11, p. 109). 
John Chipman Gray was born in December, 1793, and William R. Gray 
and Henry Gray would have been eleven and ten years old respectively 
in 1794. The other two children mentioned were Lucia and Francis 

Galley Gray. Mr. and Mrs. Gray's children were : 

William Rufus, born, Salem, June 23, 1783. 
Henry, baptized, Salem, August 22, 1784. 
Lydia Maria, baptized, Salem, February 5, 1786; 

died, Salem, May 22, 1786. 
Eliza, baptized, Salem, April 18, 1787; 

baptized, Salem, April 8, 1787 (Town Records); 
died, Salem, January 25, 1791. 

(Her mourning ring is in the Essex Institute Museum at Salem.) 
Lucia, born, Salem, December 30, 1788; 
baptized, Salem, January 4, 1789. 
Francis Galley, born, Salem, September 19, 1790; 

baptized, Salem, September 26, 1790. 
Charles (mentioned in Mr. Gray's list of his children between Francis 
C. and John G. but without dates, and I have been unable to find 
any record of his birth or death). 

After 



20 William Gray 

After their return Mr. and Mrs. Gray decided to re- 
main in Salem, where they lived until 1809, when they 
removed to Boston in consequence of the bitter animosity 
of the Federalists against Mr. Gray because he supported 
the Embargo. 

In January, 1797, Captain William Ward sailed for 
Calcutta from New York, and I insert Mr. Gray's letter 
of instructions as another example of the kind of articles 
which were imported from the East, and also to show 
the amount paid the captain in commissions on such a 
voyage : — 

Salem Jan. 1797. 
Captain William Ward 

You will embrace the first opportunity and proceed for 
New York, on your arrival, take command of my ship 
John, on board which you will ship such goods as you 
suppose will answer at Calcutta, when you have got your 
ship in good order, proceed for Calcutta in the Bay of 
Bengal there purchase about one hundred and twenty tons 
of good sugar, and then fill the ship with such other goods 
as you suppose will answer best in this market, such an 

John Chipman, born, Salem, December 26, 1793 ; 

baptized, Salem, January 19, 1794. 
Ward, baptized, Salem, January 15, 1797; 

died, Salem, August — , 1798. 
Horace, born, Medford, August 25, 1800; 

baptized, Medford, August 31, 1800. 

The baptisms and deaths are taken from the records of the First Church, 
in the Essex Institute Historical Collections. William R., Henry, Lucia, 
Francis C, John C, and Horace survived their parents. 

assortment 



of Salem, Merchant 21 

assortment as you brought the last voyage was good ex- 
cept the bandanno handkerchiefs. I would not have you 
purchase any of them at more than one hundred and 
ten rupees per cwge. Instead of the pepper brought last 
voyage, I recommend your bringing ginger, this article 
will always answer. You will get what information you 
can at New York. Upon your arrival at Calcutta, if you 
find it will be for our interest you have liberty to draw 
bills on Bainbridge, Ansley & Co of London for my acct 
or take up money in Bengal. You have liberty to take 
what sum you think proper, not to exceed one hundred 
thousand rupees, the whole stock on board for the owners 
acct. When you have compleated your business in the 
East Indies proceed directly to this port, unless it should 
winter when you come on this coast, in that case, and 
peace between France and England should have taken place, 
you may stop at the Wind W. India islands and sell such 
part of your cargo as you can to advantage, and wait for 
good weather to come on. But if you come on this coast 
in the winter and peace has not taken place, then proceed 
directly to New York, on your arrival write me a letter. 
Break no acts of Trade or laws of any nation during this 
voyage. In case any accident should happen to Capt. 
Ward to prevent his doing the business of this voyage, 

then I appoint Mr. the present mate of the John, 

to do the business of this voyage and follow the foregoing 
orders as Capt. Ward would or could have done had no 
such accident have happened, with this exception that I 
would not have any moneys drawn or borrowed by any 
other person than Capt. Ward. 

Wishing 



22 William Gray 

Wishing you a successful voyage and Almighty pro- 
tection I am your friend and employer 

Wm. Gray Jr. 

It is agreed that Capt. Ward shall be allowed five per 
cent commission for selling what merchandize he carrys 
out, in the John, or sells during the voyage for the owners, 
and two and a half per cent for what he purchases, as 
well the amt of what he takes up abroad for the owners, 
as on the proceeds of the cargo. He is to have five per 
cent privilidge of what the ship will or doth carry for his 
adventure, and twenty-five dollars per month for his wages. 

Wm. Gray Jr.' 

By this time Mr. Gray's shipping had reached such 
large proportions, that Mr. George Cabot speaks of him 
as the greatest merchant in Massachusetts.^ 

In 1 790, William Gray had joined the " Old Fire Club," 
an institution which was organized in March, 1744, and 
at the time of his joining was limited to twenty-five mem- 
bers.^ Each member had two leather buckets and a bag 
two yards in length and three quarters of a yard in breadth, 
all with the owner's name marked thereon. The buckets 
were used in carrying water to the fire, whereas the bag 
was for the purpose of removing valuables from the burn- 
ing house. There were no regular fire companies at that 
date, and the citizens had to form voluntary organizations 

' Letter in possession of George B. Dorr, Esq. 

* Henry Cabot Lodge, Life and Letters of George Cabot^ p. 123. 

3 Essex Institute Historical Collections, vol. xxxix, p. 4. 

for 



of Salem, Merchant 23 

for the protection of their property. The year 1798 saw 
WilHam Gray, Jr., Esq., elected one of the Fire Wards, 
to which office he was reelected until 1805.' The Fire 
Wards, as was then the custom, carried a staff, bucket, 
wrench, and bag, and were vested with all the necessary 
authority for putting out fires. 

At the end of President Washington's administration, 
the French Directory broke off all relations with our 
Government, and French privateersmen and frigates began 
to attack American commerce. Intercourse with France 
was suspended by Congress in 1798 ; the treaties with that 
country were declared at an end, American frigates were 
authorized to capture French vessels guilty of depreda- 
tions on American commerce, and an American army 
was formed. Under these conditions, American shipping 
was in danger of being captured, and the American ves- 
sels which were at Havana came home from Cuba under 
convoy of one of Mr. Gray's ships, armed on the spot, 
arriving at Salem September 11, 1798.* 

Congress had at this time authorized the construction 
of only three frigates, the country being far too poor to 
create a navy adequate for its defense. Under these circum- 
stances Congress passed an act in June, 1798, to accept 
vessels built on subscription by private citizens, as a loan 
to the Government at six per cent interest. The subscrip- 
tion list was opened at Salem and Elias Hasket Derby 

' Salem Gazette April 10, 1798; April 9, 1799; April 18, 1800; 
March 24, 1801 ; Salem Register^ March 25, 1802; May 16, 1803; 
March 29, 1804. 

' Bentley, vol. 11, p. 282, September 11, 1798. 

and 



24 William Gray 

and William Gray, Jr., set the example by subscribing 
$10,000 each,' and within a few weeks $74,700 had 
been subscribed towards building such a vessel. The Salem 
"Gazette" of October 26, 1798, contains the following 
item : " At a meeting in the Court House in this town 
on Tuesday evening last, of those gentlemen who have 
subscribed to build a ship for the service of the United 
States, it was voted unanimously to build a Frigate of 32 
guns, and loan the same to the Government; and Mr. 
William Gray Jun., John Norris and Jacob Ashton, Esq., 
Capt. Benj. Hodges, and Capt. Ichabod Nichols were 
chosen a Committee to carry the vote into immediate 
effect." Later William Gray, Jr., was chosen chairman 
of the committee,"" and the vessel was named the Essex. 
The Essex was launched on September 30, 1799,^ and 
in the War of 1 8 1 2 won lasting renown under Captain 
David Porter. This war with France lasted only a short 
time, and consisted of a few sea-fights; for after Napo- 
leon seized the supreme power negotiations were opened, 
and a Convention of Peace, Commerce and Navigation 
was concluded September 30, 1800. 

^ Salem Gazette^ October i, 1799. The Gazette mentions Messrs. 
Derby and Gray, but there is no doubt that Messrs. E. H. Derby and 
William Gray, Jr., are referred to, as they were the largest shipowners 
and among the wealthiest men in Salem at that time. Mr. Bentley (vol. 
II, p. 282, September 10, 1798) says, " Mr. Gray offers to subscribe nine 
tenths of the sum subscribed by Mr. Derby." If Mr. Gray regarded his prop- 
erty as worth nine tenths that of Mr. Derby, then Mr. Gray was worth 
about ;^900,ooo at this time, as Mr. Derby is said to have been worth 
;^ 1, 000,000 at the time of his death, August 8, 1799. (Bentley, vol. 11, 
p. 317, note.) 

* Salem Gazette^ May 28, 1799. ^ Ibid.^ October i, 1799. 

Mr. 




,5^^^x^ ^^^^^. 



%^ 



^ 



ly^C^y^. J^t^?e^e^*^-'^^t~~ 



^^^^^^ /y^-^-^ ^^ ^^ 




^^^^SiL 






^J«^ 



.!5*^ 






OkK 














of Salem, Merchant 25 

Mr. Gray's business activities were not confined to ship- 
ping: he was one of the petitioning proprietors of the 
Salem and Danvers Aqueduct' in 1797, along with Mr. 
Joshua Ward and Mr. Edward Southwick, and when 
the Essex Bridge was decided on in 1787, he subscribed 
to three shares,^ and became a director of the Company 
in 1799.^ Again, in 1803, he was one of the incorpor- 
ators of the Essex Fire and Marine Insurance Company/ 
which was one of the earliest insurance companies formed 
in Salem. 

It is almost incredible that he found time for so many 
activities; Mr. John Adams once said he never knew a 
man who could do so large a business in so short a time.' 
He is reported to have arisen at dawn and to have fin- 
ished his correspondence before others had finished their 
last nap, and his knowledge of what was needed at the 
different ports he shipped to, and the prices goods ought 
to bring, was wonderful when one considers the imperfect 
means of communication at that period. 

Hon. Timothy Pickering wrote of him: "William 
Gray of Salem is a man of unspotted character and for mer- 
chantile talents and extent of business, the first merchant 
in the United States. ... I can only say that Mr. Gray 
is a cool, discerning man who does not form his opinions 
hastily, and is too strongly attached to the Government 

' Salem Gazette^ April 4, 1797. 

' Essex Institute Historical Collections, vol. xxx, p. 70. 
3 Ibid.^ vol. xxx, p. 93. 
^ Salem Gazette^ March 18, 1803. 

s Letter from Mr. Gray's grandson, William Gray, of Boston, May 5, 
1889. 

to 



26 William Gray 

to express dissatisfaction with its measures or the officers 
who execute them, unless he conceives there is very good 
cause for it." * 

When later, in 1808, Mr. Gray supported the Em- 
bargo measure despite the fact that it was contrary, not 
only to his monetary but also to his social interests, he 
proved the correctness of the latter part of Mr. Picker- 
ing's statement. 

The following extracts taken from the chapter on 
"Commerce" in "Historical Sketch of Salem," by C. S. 
Osgood and H. M. Batchelder, give a good idea of the 
extended trade of Mr. Gray, and also in many instances 
show what were the importations from the different coun- 
tries. From the dates, he seems to have been among the 
first to trade with the Far East. 

"In 1790 brig William and Henry, Benjamin Hodges, 
master, 150 tons, arrived from Canton to Gray & Orne. 

"In June, 1799, from Canton ship Elizabeth, Daniel 
Sage, master, to William Gray.^ 

"In July, 1800, ship Pallas from Canton, William 
Ward, master, to Samuel Gray, William Gray, and Joseph 

' Pickering Manuscripts, in the Massachusetts Historical Society, vol. 
XII, p. 390. Timothy Pickering to E. Stevens November 29, 1799. Later 
on, when Mr. Gray had left the Federalist party and had supported the 
Embargo, Mr. Pickering's opinion of him seems to have undergone a 
radical change; cf. letter from T. Pickering to W. Read, March 3, 
18 1 2 (vol. XIV p. 386), in which Mr. Pickering calls Mr. Gray "in 
private affairs a shuffler, in public affairs a contemptible trimmer." Mr. 
Pickering could not say too much against those who differed from him in 
politics. 

"Our William Gray was the only William Gray in Salem at this 
period who was a shipowner. 

Peabody 



of Salem, Merchant 27 

Peabody, with a cargo of tea and sugar, paying a duty of 
$66,927.65. 

"Entered in August, 1794, from India, brig Enterprise, 
William Ward, master, consigned to William Gray, and 
other entries the following years. 

"Entered from Calcutta in August, 1804, ship Lucia, 
Solomon Towne, master, with a cargo of sugar, indigo, 
and cherpots, to William Gray and others, and paying a 
duty of $24,001.08. 

"Entered from Manila, July, 1801, ship Laurel, Daniel 
Sage, master, with 115,133 pounds of indigo and 124,683 
pounds of sugar, consigned to William Gray, and paying 
a duty of $32,382.26. 

"In May, 1806, ship Horace, John Parker, master, 
entered from Manila, consigned to William Gray. 

"From Isle of France, March, 1794, ship Aurora, 
Thomas Meek, master, with 424,034 pounds of sugar 
consigned to William Gray. 

"From Surinam, brig Lydia, Eben Shillaber, master, 
August, 1796, to William Gray. 

"Brig Ceres, Thomas Simmons, master, entered from 
Russia October, 1789, with 1546 pieces of sail-cloth and 
sheeting, 1 80 bundles of hemp, 948 bars of iron, and 359 
hundredweight of cordage, to William Gray. 

"Brig Hind, John Bickford, master, cleared for the 
Baltic, June 17, 1790, with 600 barrels of tar, 10 barrels 
of turpentine, 4 hogsheads of tobacco, 27 casks of rice, 
21 hogsheads of New England rum, and 73 chests of 
Hyson tea, and entered from St. Petersburg on her return 
in November, 1790. 

" The 



28 William Gray 

" The brig Minerva, Archelaus Rea, master, from Alicant 
in May, 1802, with brandy and salt, to William Gray. 

"From Copenhagen, brig Francis, J. Wallace, master, 
November, 1792, with iron and glass consigned to William 
Gray. The early trade with Copenhagen seems to have 
been carried on largely by Mr. Gray." 

Felt mentions E. Hasket Derby and William Gray as 
importing from Copenhagen several horses of a superior 
grade in 1796.^ 

"From Gottenburg, ship Rising States, Benjamin Beck- 
ford, Jr., master, entered February, 1804, with hemp, to 
William Gray. 

" Ship Essex, Solomon Stanwood, master, from Amster- 
dam September, 1800, with 42,871 pounds of cheese, 
5000 pounds of nails, and 8000 gallons of gin, to Na- 
thaniel West and William Gray. 

"From Hamburg, brig Salem, Oliver Obear, master, 
in June, 1799, with gin and hemp, to William Gray. 

"From Leghorn, ship Lucia, Thomas Meek, master, 
in July, 1800, with brandy, soap, etc., to William Gray, 
and paying a duty of $20,301. 

" From Mediterranean ports were imported : salt, wine, 
brandy, figs, raisins, almonds, candles, and soap." 

I find in the advertising columns of the Salem "Ga- 
zette" the following notice to the public: — 

Imported in Brig Enterprise, Captain Hathorne, just arrived from Cadiz 
and for sale at the store of 

WILLIAM GRAY, JUN., 
Sherry and Malaga wines, of the first quality in quarter casks; 
A few boxes of lemons — casks of raisins and casks of Brandy. 

' Joseph B. Felt, Annals of Salem ^ vol. 11, p. 145. 

May 



of Salem, Merchant 29 

May also be had as above 
Bar and sheet lead, if applied for soon. 
Salem, May 26th, 1794.' 

"From Marseilles, ship Ulysses, William Mugford, mas- 
ter, in August, 1804, with prunes, almonds, 18,199 pounds 
of soap, 48,233 gallons of wine, and 1571 gallons of 
brandy, consigned to William Gray." 

' Salem Gazette, July 22, 1794. 



CHAPTER II 



1800-1810 



As I have said before, in 1800 Mr. Gray built a 
house in Essex Street. It stood well back from 
the street surrounded by ample gardens. It was 
of square colonial type, red brick with white trimmings, 
three storeys in height with a cupola on top, and was at 
that time one of the finest houses in Salem.' From under 
its spacious roof great hospitality was dispensed, not only 

* In the Salem Gazette^ February 4, 1806, there is the following 
list of brick buildings standing in Salem at the beginning of 1806: — 



Ward No. 


I 








Houses 


Starts 


Built 


Essex Street, E. S. Lang 




I 


1803 


Benjamin Dodge 


I 




1805 


Henry Rust 




I 




Washington Street, John Daland 




I 




Market Street, Hathorne & Gray 




I 


1805 


Fish Street, Samuel Gray 




I 




Charter Street, Gilbert Chadwick 




I 


1805 


Vine Street, Jonathan Mason 


I 






Nathan Peirce 


I 




1805 


Water Street, Smith & Douglass 




I 


1804 


Neptune Street, Eliphalet Butman 




I 


1802 


Union Wharf, Page & Ropes 




I 




Derby Street, Henry Prince 


I 






Moses Townsend 


I 




180S 



by 



JVilliam Gray s House ^ Salem 



William Gray 



31 



by Mr. and Mrs. Gray, but, to quote from Mrs. M. C. D. 
Silsbee's "A Half Century in Salem" (pp. 3, 4), by their 



Ward No. 2 






Houses 


Stores 


Built 


Essex Street, John Gardner i 




1805 


William Gray i 






Chase & Rust i 




1769 


Jacob P. Rust I 






Court Street, William Stearns 


I 




Ward No. 3 






Houses 


Stores 


Built 


Essex Street, Henry Rust 1 






John Hathorne i 






John Appleton i 




l'J']2 


Abel Lawrence i 






Mrs. Haraden i 






Washington Street, Joseph Ropes i 




1805 


Joshua Ward i 


I 


• 


Summer Street, Joseph Baker 


I 




Chestnut Street, Daniel Gregg i 




1805 


Jonathan Hodges i 




1805 


Thomas Saunders i 




1805 


Warren Street, Charles Cleveland i 




1805 



Ward No. 



Essex Street, Albert Gray 

Daniel Saunders 
Robert Peele 

Federal Street, Joseph Sprague 

Court Street, John Derby 

Archelaus Rea 

Boston Street, Jonathan Dean 



4 
Houses 

I 

I 

I 

I 
I 

I 

"26 



Stores 



13 



Built 



daughter 



32 William Gray 

daughter as well: "Our party at Lucia Gray's'' was pleas- 
anter than could have been expected at this season; we 
had a good deal to eat and to drink, and considerable con- 

BUILDINGS OF OTHER DESCRIPTIONS 

Court-House, in Court Street 

Baptist Meeting-House, Marlborough Street 

Salem Bank, Essex Street 

Sugar House, Ash Street 

R. Stone's Distillery, Neptune Street 

John Norris' Distillery, Water Street 

William Gray's Stable, St. Peter's Street 

Two work shops of one storey in Derby Street 

Fort Pickering on Winter Island 

Powder House, in Great Pasture 

II 
Buildings partly of Brick 
Sun Tavern Essex Street 

Captain Sage's House Essex Street 

Ebenezer Smith Essex Street 

John Watson Union Street 

John Rust's County Street 

Widow of Daniel Rust County Street 

Josiah Parsons Water Street 

James Pope's Marlborough Street 

Rev. Mr. Spalding's Summer Street 

William Faben's High Street 

Stephen Phillips' Chestnut Street 

Richard Savary's Briggs Court 

12 
62 in all out of about 2000 buildings 

' Lucia Gray was the daughter of William Gray and married Samuel 
Swett. To quote Mrs. Silsbee: "A voluntary was a dance for which the 
gentlemen were at liberty to engage their partners; a draw-dance was 
a sort of lottery — the ladies and gentlemen each had numbers and might 
or might not be especially pleased with their luck." 

versation, 



of Salem, Merchant 33 

versation, and to crown all we closed the evening with a 
reel to the music of the piano. I had Leverett Saltonstall 
for my partner, a sensible, agreeable, good-natured soul, 
and to be sure, in spite of the heat, we jigged it away- 
most merrily." Again: "We have had a little ball at 
Lucia Gray's — dances all voluntary, not a very judicious 
arrangement for Salem. I wore a new dress made for the 
occasion, and had ample leisure, before going in to the 
dancing room, to criticise the pretty drapery of Miss Mar- 
tha West while sipping a preliminary cup of tea. Mr. 
John Pickering invited me for the first voluntary; I had 
the pleasure of sitting still the second ; my partner for the 
third was Mr. Prince, fourth, Henry Pickering, fifth, John 
Stone, sixth, Mr. Swett, seventh and last, Mr. White." 

In 1800 Mr. Gray's eldest son, William R. Gray, grad- 
uated from Harvard College and Mr. Bentley mentions 
Mr. Gray, his father, as being among those who gave 
entertainments on that occasion.' Later, in 1803, when 
Mr. Gray bought a wharf in Charlestown, William R. 
went to Boston as his agent, registering some of his ves- 
sels from that port. 

By 1 801 the population of Salem had reached 9457,'' 
and from that date until the enforcement of the Embargo 
Act in 1807, Salem was at the height of her enterprise 

' Bentley, vol. 11, p. 344, July 16, 1800. 

* Salem Impartial Register^ A^n\ 20, 1 80 1. Rev. William Bentley was 
an editor of this paper at a later date, and a great many references to Mr. 
Gray occur both in the Register and in his Diary. When this is the case, 
the Diary alone is mentioned, as it is in many libraries and is more easily 
accessible to the average reader than are the files of the Register. The 
Register was Republican in politics, and the Gazette^ Federalist. 

and 



34 William Gray 

and prosperity; her ships were seen on every sea and her 
merchants were known the world over. These were the 
years of Mr. Gray's greatest activity in Salem, and he was 
employing annually on the average about three hundred 
seamen. These figures he gave in a sworn statement made 
before the Committee on Impressment in Boston in 1 8 1 3, 
in which he said that for the last fifteen or twenty years he 
had employed about three hundred seamen annually upon 
the average.* Mr. Gray's letter of instructions to Captain 
John R. Dalling in 1804 is interesting because it shows 
the cargoes shipped to and brought from India at this 
period, and also because it gives a list of the prices current 
on different articles in America and in Europe. It is in- 
teresting to note that Mr. Thomas W. Ward, a son of 
Captain William Ward referred to in the previous chapter, 
was first mate on this voyage. 

Salem, Sept. 7th, 1804. 
Capt. John R. Dalling 

The ship Ulysses under your command being ready 

for sea you will embrace the first opportunity and proceed 

for Bombay in the East Indies. Upon your arrival sell 

the cargo now on board for the most it will fetch or 

such part of it as you suppose most for my interest in 

case you can sell the whole and suppose it will promote 

the interest of the voyage you will proceed for Muscat 

upon the coast of Arabia, there purchase coffee, drugs, 

and medicines and saltpetre and when you have compleated 

your business there, proceed for Boston in this State, in 

case you cannot sell the whole of your cargo at Bombay 

' Columbian Cent'inel^ Boston, April 3, 181 3. 

and 



of Salem^ Merchant 35 

and suppose it will be for my interest to go on with the 
residue to Pondicherry, Madrass and Calcutta you have 
liberty to go to one or all those pjaces and there compleate 
your business. 

In case you can only sell the part of your cargo at 
Bombay and it shall then appear to you to be for my 
interest to have you go on to Canton with a cargo of 
cotton, you will do that taking on with you such articles 
as you cannot sell and if you think proper touch at Ma- 
laca in the Streights of Malaca to sell such part of your 
cargo as remains upon hand then proceed for Canton in 
China. There invest the whole proceeds in Nankeens, fine 
teas, and such other goods as you suppose will produce 
most profit, when you have compleated your business in 
India or China proceed to this place or Boston in this 
state. As it is impossible to give you instructions in all 
cases I must leave you to conduct this voyage as you think 
will best promote my interest, but by no means break any 
acts of trade or laws of any nation. You have herewith 
several price currants of merchandize in this country as well 
as Europe, by which you can calculate what price it will 
answer to pay for them in India. In case you sell part of 
your Cargo at Bombay and do not think it for my interest 
to purchase there, and you find you can obtain undoubted 
bills for what you do sell upon Calcutta, take them and re- 
mit them to Damchunder Benarjea of Calcutta for my ac- 
count. In case you come home from Muscat, if you can 
obtain one or two handsome fleet Arabian Stone horses for 
breeders take them on board provided the price doth not 
exceed two hundred dollars cost, you can bring them on 

deck 



36 William Gray 

deck placing them near the centre of the vessel. Provided 
you find it impossible to make sales of your cargo at Bom- 
bay and suppose it will be for my interest to go from there to 
Calcutta you may proceed. That amt or upon the whole, 
conduct as you think will most promote my interest. In 
case any accident should happen to you during the voyage 
then I appoint Mr. Thomas W. Ward your present mate 
to conduct the business as you would or could have done 
had no such accident happened. 

In case any accident should happen to both Capt. Dall- 
ing and Mr. Ward then the second mate Mr. James Dunn 
is to conduct the voyage agreeable to the foregoing in- 
structions. Capt. Dalling is to have a priviledge of carry- 
ing an adventure in the Ulysses not exceeding five tons 
he is to have two and half per cent, commission for what 
merchandize he sells and two and half per cent commissions 
for what he purchases but is not to have any commissions 
for selling money or specie. In case he should negotiate any 
bills he is not to have any commissions for that but two 
and half per cent for investing the proceeds of said bills. 

Commiting you to Almighty protection and wishing 
you a successful voyage 

Am yr sincere friend 

Wm. Gray Jr. 

Memorandum and price currant for Capt. 'John R. Trailing 
of the Ship Ulysses 

Good refined salt petre may be had at Muscat but the 
common unrefined is often mixed with common salt. By 
puting the real salt petre upon a coal of fire it will melt 

and 



of Salem, Merchant 37 

and burn, but if mixed with salt it will sparkle when put 
on fire, you may calculate Salt Petre to be worth sixteen 
cents per pound in this Country. 

Prices articles in America in Europe 

Mocha coffee 25 cents 28 to 30 cents 

Salt petre 20 cents 16 to 20 cents 

Opium 3 'o 3/^ doll P- ^' 

Asafatida 40 cents 

Gum arable 20 to 25 cents 33 cents 

Gum Tragaconth 50 cents 

Columba Root 40 to 50 cents 



Sago 


10 cents 


Mace 


6 dollars 


Cloves 


80 cents 


Bengal indigo 


175 cents 



I presume cotton generally can be purchased at about 
10 cents per pound perhapse it may be lower now or it 
may be very dull so that they will give a great price for 
your goods payable in cotton in which case perhapse you 
may think it for our interest to purchase cotton and carry 
it to Canton where I expect you will generally obtain 
about 18 to 20 cents the pound. But in case anyone 
should want you to take freight, it will not answer for 
you to take freight for the subject of any power at war as 
in that case you will be liable to be stoped and detained. 

You must not attempt to cover any property but if you 
find it for my interest to draw bills you have liberty to 
value upon me here or upon Messrs. Bainbridge Ansley 
& Co. London not to exceed twenty two thousand dollars 
or five thousand pounds sterling. 

Wm. Gray Jr.' 

* Letter in possession of George B. Dorr, Esq. 

In 



38 William Gray 

In November, 1806, Salem had 73 ships, 11 barques, 
and 48 brigs engaged in foreign commerce, and of these 
about one fourth were owned by William Gray.^ 

During this period, politics in Salem ran high and the 
line of distinction between Federalist and Republican was 
drawn with even personal animosity, there being almost 
no social intercourse between those of different political 
opinions.^ In 180 1 the Republicans were in the minority, 
the Federalist party, to which Mr. Gray belonged, con- 
taining most of the wealth and talent of the town.^ Mr. 
Gray, however, did not carry his party feelings to the ex- 
tent many others did. Consequently, when an association 
was formed among the Federalists in 1802 not to employ 
the friends of Mr. Crowninshield, who was a Republican, 
it did not succeed in its purpose through the manly oppo- 
sition of Mr. Gray,'^ who put fairness and justice ahead of 
party animosities. 

In 1804, at a meeting of the Federalists, Mr. Gray was 
chosen Moderator,^ and William Gray, Jr., Esq., Jonathan 
Waldo, Esq., and Mr. Nathaniel Bowditch were chosen 
as Federalist candidates for Representatives to the General 
Court,^ the anti-Federalist candidates being John Hathorne, 
Esq., William Cleveland, Esq., and Mr. John Southwick.^ 
The Republicans had a majority in this election, their 

' Felt, Annals of Salem,, vol. 11, p. 320. 

* W. W. Story, Life and Letters of Joseph Story^ vol. I, p. 86. 

3 Ibid. 

4 Bentley, vol. 11, p. 459, November 11, 1802. 

5 Salem Gazette, March 20, 1804. 
^ Ibid., May 15, 1804. 

7 Ibid., May 18, 1804. 

candidates 



of Salem, Merchant 39 

candidates receiving 529 votes as against 443,' and, to 
quote the Salem "Register," the RepubHcan paper: 
"Though the Federalists brought forward Mr. William 
Gray, Jr., the greatest and richest merchant in the United 
States, at the head of their ticket, they have now^ found that 
wealth united with great personal influence has weighed 
only as the dust of the balance." ^ 

Mr. Gray was gradually being drawn more and more into 
politics and appears on the Federalist Committee of Cor- 
respondence for the next two years,^ the second year being 
designated as William Gray, instead of William Gray, Jr., 
the elder William Gray having died in January, 1806.'^ 

In March, 1 807, the Federalists of Essex County nomi- 
nated the following candidates : For Governor, His Excel- 
lency, Caleb Strong ; for Lieutentant-Governor, His Honor, 
Edward H. Robbins; for Senators from Essex County, 
Hon. Enoch Titcomb, Hon. John Heard, Hon. John 
Phillips, Jr., Hon. Nathaniel Thurston, Israel Thorndike, 
and William Gray, Esquires.^ In the edition of the Salem 
"Gazette" of March 31, there is a note to the effect that 
"Mr. Gray having for many years used the addition of 
Junior to his name, it may be necessary to remind the 
Electors to omit it now, as he is no longer Junior." Hon. 
James Sullivan, the Republican candidate, was elected 
Governor of Massachusetts, but the Federalist Senators 
from Essex County were elected.^ 

' Bentley, vol. iii, p. 86, May 15, 1804. 
* Salem Register^ May 17, 1804. 

3 Salem Gaxette^ March 26, 1805; March 28, 1806. 

4 Ibid.^ January 21, 1806. 

5 Ibid.^ March 24, 1807. ^ Ibid.^ April 9, 1807. 

The 



40 William Gray 

The British Government had issued Orders in Council 
in May, 1806, declaring a blockade of the whole Conti- 
nent of Europe from Brest to the Elbe. A few months 
later, in November of the same year. Napoleon issued his 
famous "Berlin Decree," which declared a blockade of 
the British Isles, and forbade neutrals to trade with them. 
This amounted to nothing more than a paper blockade, 
as Napoleon had no navy with which to enforce his de- 
cree. The following January, England answered by further 
Orders in Council which declared that all ports from 
which the British flag was excluded were closed to neutral 
ships, allowing direct trade from the United States to 
Sweden only, in American products, and permitting Amer- 
ican trade with other parts of Europe only on condition 
of touching at England and paying duties. Napoleon 
answered this in December, 1807, by the "Milan Decree," 
which declared that any ship which submitted to search 
by a British cruiser was thereby "denationalized" and was 
liable to arrest as a vagrant by French cruisers, and, fur- 
thermore, that all vessels going to or sailing from Great 
Britain were for that fact alone good prize. The com- 
mercial situation was this : if a neutral vessel cleared for 
any Continental port she was liable to be taken by some 
British vessel, and if, to avoid this, she entered a British 
port, landed her cargo and reshipped it, she was liable to 
be seized by the French. This theoretically put a stop 
to almost our whole Continental trade, though neutral 
vessels still went from port to port, running great risks, 
but earning large freights. 

The Republican party of the United States was almost 

exclusively 



of Salem^ Merchant 41 

exclusively agricultural and had little sympathy with com- 
mercial interests. It was also pledged to the reduction of 
national expenses, and the President, Mr. Jefferson, was 
opposed to a navy and to war as well. Various retaliatory 
measures to the above decrees were proposed, and finally 
the Embargo Act was passed on December 22, 1807, 
which prohibited all shipments from the United States 
to foreign countries. This measure was expected to starve 
Great Britain into a change of policy, but the result was, 
that not only those engaged in shipping, but eventually 
the agricultural districts of the United States as well, suf- 
fered from it. 

As soon as the Embargo Act was passed there was strong 
opposition from the seaports; and the Federalist party, in 
New England in particular, to which most of the great 
merchants belonged, did everything in its power to defeat 
the measure. It did not lessen their resentment to know 
that the act had been passed largely by Southern and 
Western votes. William Gray, although he admitted it 
was a ruinous measure, claimed that it was a constitutional 
one and supported it, and consequently became the storm 
centre in Salem. 

Mr. Gray had been reelected State Senator from Essex 
County on the Federalist ticket in April, 1808.' In the 
following June he openly vindicated the Embargo in the 
Senate, and opposed the resolutions directed against the 
General Government which were offered to the Legisla- 
ture by Mr. Leban Wheaton.^ This conduct caused great 

' Salem Gazette^ March 25, 1808; April 5, 1808. 

* Bentley, vol. in, p. 364, June 7, 1808; June 9, 1808. 

concern 



4^ William Gray 

concern to the alarmists because of Mr. Gray's position 
and influence as one of the greatest merchants in Salem. 
He was attacked in speeches and in the press, and finally 
was forced to vindicate himself in a letter to the "Printer" 
of the Salem " Gazette," dated August 1 1 , in which he says 
that he is compelled to declare facts; he thought he had 
a right to his own opinions, and he owned no submission 
to France, of which he was accused. When the Embargo 
Act was passed, he thought it a constitutional measure 
and did not think it proper to oppose it; also he thought 
it prudent and necessary. He goes on to answer the general 
accusation of the Federalists and others opposed to the 
Embargo, accusing him of making money out of the 
general distress, by stating that instead of growing rich 
he was ready to demonstrate his situation and show that 
his estate had declined ten per cent since the Embargo 
began.' 

Dr. O. T. Howe, in his historical notes to the " Auto- 

' Bentley, vol. iii, p. 377, August 12, 1808; Salem Gazette^ August 
12, 1808. 

Mr. Gushing 

I observe in your paper of Friday last, over the signature "Cuesta" 
a piece imputing to me base and sordid motives for approving the Em- 
bargo; in consequence of that, I am compelled to declare to the public, 
facts^ and leave them to judge hov/ far selfishness has influenced my opin- 
ion and conduct. 

It is suggested that I set the opinions of others at defiance. 

I have presumed to think for myself, and made the Constitution my 
guide; however mistaken I may be, my intentions are at least correct, 
nor do I defy or condemn others, for thinking differently ; and so far from 
excusing the Administration for submission to France, had I perceived 
symptoms of submission to that, or any other foreign power, sooner than 

biography 



of Salem, Merchant 43 

biography of Captain Zachary G. Lamson" (page 36), 
gives an impression of Mr. Gray at this period which is 
entirely wrong. He refers to the Salem "Gazette" and 
other Federalist papers which assert that Mr. Gray was 
making large profits out of the Embargo, and does not 
quote the Salem "Register," or the letter just referred to, 
in which Mr. Gray refutes the said charges and is willing 

advocate such measures, I would devote my whole property for the sup- 
port of the Independence of the United States. 

When the Embargo law passed, I thought it a Constitutional measure, 
and I did not think proper to oppose it. The policy of the measure has 
been much questioned; yet I think the then existing circumstances ren- 
dered it prudent and necessary; as Great Britain had threatened and had 
at that time passed (though not officially known to us) the orders of coun- 
cil of the nth November, 1807, authorizing the capture and condemna- 
tion of all vessels, bound from the United States, that should sail for 
France, or the countries of her allies, after the orders of council were 
known in America; which included all Europe, except Great Britain, 
Gibraltar, Malta, and perhaps Sweden ; at those places very few of those 
articles, which we generally export, are admitted, and I think fewer still 
would have brought the cost and charges. Great Britain, it is said, would 
have permitted us, after touching there, and paying duties, to go to France 
and the countries of her allies. Is there an independent American who 
would submit to such impositions i* 

Bonaparte had threatened to put in operation his "Berlin Decree," 
which he had, however, forborne to do, so far as I know, except in one 
instance, of the Horizon, wrecked upon the French coast ; but his severe 
and tyrannical decree of 17th December last, called the " Milan Decree," 
passed, declaring all vessels, that should be spoken with by the British, 
liable to capture, which decree almost precluded the possibility of escape 
from capture or detention. After these restrictions on our Commerce, had 
not the Embargo been laid, I think a great part of our vessels, sent for 
the continent of Europe, would have been captured and condemned by 
the British, (as their orders authorized condemnation) and probably the 
remnant would have fallen into the hands of the French. Had these 

to 



44 William Gray 

to submit his books to inspection to show that his estate 
had declined. Dr. Howe goes on to say that he does not 
know whether Mr. Gray was a gainer or not by the Em- 
bargo, but from his quotations, he gives the distinct im- 
pression that Mr. Gray was a great gainer.^ It would 
have been only fair to present Mr. Gray's side of the ques- 
tion, as his statements concerning his private affairs were 

events taken place, the effect upon the public mind would I think have 
provoked vs^ar; this, added to the immense loss, which the Americans 
would have sustained by capture and condemnation, must, I think, have 
been a far greater evil than the Embargo; though that, taken separately 
from these considerations, is a serious evil; yet, as a proof that it was 
necessary, I find, out of seven vessels, which sailed from this district for 
the continent of Europe, in the month preceding the commencement of 
the Embargo, not one ever reached her destined port in safety. 

It is insinuated that I am growing rich, while others are suffering by 
the Embargo : I have not reaped any advantages from it, that I know of, 
in any form whatever; those who best know me can say, whether I have 
benefited others, or taken advantage of their necessity. So far from reap- 
ing profit from the Embargo, my estate has declined more than ten per 
cent in value since its operation, which I am ready to demonstrate to 
any person desirous of investigating the subject. 

William Gray. 

Salem, August ii, 1808. 

' Newburyport Herald^ August 26, 1808: "Mr. Gray having an im- 
mense property in France and countries subject to France is in favor of 
that policy which will preserve peace with Napoleon, and having a good 
stock of Indian, Russian and Italian goods on hand, he is daily growing 
richer by the Embargo." 

Boston Palladium^ January 13, 1809: "The people who were the 
greatest gainers by the Embargo were the great capitalists, who had on 
hand, when the Embargo was laid, immense stocks of foreign goods which 
this unjust system has occasioned to rise, . . . Mr. Gray of Salem must 
have been a great gainer." The above are the quotations given. 

* presumably 



of Salem^ Merchant 45 

presumably more correct than those of his detractors. It 
seems strange, indeed, when all the merchants were being 
ruined by the Embargo Act, that Mr. Gray should stand 
out as the only merchant who was a gainer; yet this is 
just what the Federalist party and press claimed, while 
they took no notice whatever of his statements to the 
contrary. 

The Republicans all over the State, as an argument in 
favor of the Embargo, quoted Mr. Gray of Salem as sup- 
porting it; ' while the Salem "Gazette," a Federalist paper, 
as an argument against the measure, quotes Mr. William 
Gray as saying that his property had depreciated at the 
rate of ten per cent,^ and says: "Though he tells us he 
thinks it a wise measure, is yet candid enough to acknowl- 
edge it a ruinous one." ^ Thus he was a storm centre, 
each side quoting his sayings to its own advantage. 

All the New England States had in their respective 
Legislatures a majority against the General Government,^ 
and New England was in a ferment. This condition of 
affairs is well reflected in the town meeting held in Salem 
on October 26, 1 808, of which Mr. Bentley writes : "This 
day was a struggle of parties. Agreeably to the petition a 
Town Meeting had been warned and the place was the 
Tabernacle. The parties assembled in full house at 9 and 

' Salem Gazette^ September 2, 1808. Republicans and Democrats 
were names interchangeably used. The Republican party of those days 
represents the Democratic party of to-day j the Federalist, the present- 
day Republican. 

* Ibid.^ August 19, 1808. 

3 Ibtd.^ September 2, 1808. 

4 Bentley, vol. iii, p. 383, September 10, 1808. 

at 



46 William Gray 

at I adjourned till 3 and did not finish their business till 
sundown. The principal speaker was Mr. W. Gray who 
spoke with great ease and clearness. He was clapped by 
the republicans and hissed by the federalists. Mr. Story 
and others spoke on the same side. In opposition was 
Col. B. Pickman, Junr. and his associates. Mr. Gray ex- 
plained the history of the embargo and the nature of the 
British tribute and was supported by the presence of Capt. 
Joseph White to whom great attention is paid in this town 
and who very seldom is found to interest himself in town 
matters. Upon the whole the vote was taken whether to 
petition Congress, and the republican majority against the 
petition was above 100 out of nearly 1000 votes. In the 
course of the argument the condition of the poor was 
mentioned. Mr. Gray then stated the case fairly and then 
declared that he had given the Overseers leave to draw 
upon him for any sum and that he was ready till the last cent 
should it be necessary. This eminent merchant obtained 
high honor from the friends of our country on this occa- 
sion. After the meeting the town was in the silence of 
midnight." ^ 

The sailors and other poor thrown out of work by the 
Embargo were beginning to suffer severely. In the follow- 
ing January, Mr. Gray was giving two barrels of flour a 
week to the poor, and promised one a day if necessity so 
required.^ Captain Joseph White gave one hundred bush- 
els of corn; Captain G. Crowninshield, biscuits, rice, and 
such material, and a soup-house was opened by sub- 

' Bentley, vol. in, p. 391, October 26, 1808. 
* Ibid.^ p. 409, January 20, 1809. 

scription. 



of Salem, Merchant 47 

scription.^ Party spirit ran so high that Mr. Gray's en- 
emies tried to detract from his generosity and public 
spirit by saying that he gave counterfeit bills and sour 
flour.^^ 

The next month, Mr. Gray's designation as Prefect of 
the Salem section, with power to issue certificates to im- 
porters from the southward,^ added fuel to the fire. Mr. 
Bentley says that he was persecuted incessantly and was 
excluded from all his former associates.'^ As I have before 
stated, political feeling was so intense that the members of 
the opposite parties had very little social intercourse, and 
at this period, even in Salem, the two parties hated each 
other as much as the French and English hated each 
other in war-time. ^ Consequently Mr. Gray, who was a 
Federalist, by supporting the Embargo Act, which was a 
Republican measure, cut himself off from all his former 
friends and associates who belonged to the Federalist 
party. It must have taken a great deal of patriotism and 
moral courage to support a measure which he knew from 
the first was thoroughly unpopular, to say nothing of its 
being contrary to his business interests; but did it not 
take much more patriotism and moral courage to support 
such a measure when it meant losing most of his friends? 
Mr., later Justice, Joseph Story wrote from Washington : 
"I wish Mr. Gray to understand that his conduct has 
gained him the highest respect in every part of the Union. 
» Bentley, vol. iii, p. 412, January 29, 1809. 

• Ibid.^ p. 409, January 20, 1809. 

3 Salem Gazette^ February 10, 1 809. 

* Bentley, vol. iii, p. 417, February 19, 1809. 
5 Ibid.^ p. 479, November 24, 1809. 

The 



48 William Gray 

The Administration view him as one of the most truly 
honorable patriots in the country." ^ 

Mr. Gray declined to run again as Senator from Essex 
County,^ and his last public office in Salem was when he 
was chosen Moderator of the town meeting on March 
13, 1809.^ Life in Salem was made so disagreeable for 
him by the Federalists that, shortly after this, he removed 
to Boston,^ where he had bought the house of Governor 
Sullivan, on the corner of Summer and Hawley Streets, 
on the side nearer the water. 5 

When William Gray left Salem, he was owner of fif- 
teen ships, seven barques, thirteen brigs, and one schooner,^ 
and Mr. Bentley says that his estate was reckoned at three 
millions of dollars.'' His assessment in Salem in 1808 
was : — 

' W. W. Story, Life and Letters of foseph Story^ vol. i, p. 173; letter 
to Mr. Joseph White, Jr., December 31, 1808. 

^ Salem Gazette, February 24, 1808: "We are requested to mention 
for the information of the Electors of Essex County, that the Hon. 
William Gray declines being a candidate for the Senate for the ensuing 
year." 

3 Ibid.^ March 14, 1809. 

4 Mr. Bentley (vol. iii, p. 449, July 28, 1809) mentions "Mr. W. 
Gray, who was formerly a merchant of Salem." 

s In 1808, Mr. Gray acquired a house and land in Cambridge, and 
spent part of the time there every summer during the rest of his life. 
The house was bought of Mr. Jonathan Hastings. The main body of 
the house was not then finished, but there was attached to it, as an ell, a 
building of a very much earlier date. Mr. Gray finished building the house. 
It is still standing on what is now Brattle Street, having always been 
owned and occupied by some one of Mr. Gray's descendants. — Author. 

^ Felt, Annah of Salem., vol. 11, p. 326. 

7 Bentley, vol. 111, p. 417, February 19, 1809. 

Homestead 



William Gray Homestead^ Cambridge 



of Salem^ 


Merchant 


49 


Homestead 


. 


• ;^i5,ooo 




Wharf and warehouses 


. 


6,000 




3 Common rights 


. 


150 




13 Acres of land in North Fields 


450 




Shipping and stock 


. 


705,000 




Income .... 


• • 


12,000 






1^738,600 




And his taxes were 








Poll-tax, State . 


. . 


;^o.28 




Real "... 


. 


20.52 




Personal "... 


. 


669.75 




Income "... 


• * 


11.40 

;^70i.95 




Poll-tax, Town and County 


, , 


;^i.2i 




Real " " . 


. 


87.58 




Personal " " . 


. 


2858.07 




Income *' " 


• 


48.68 
1^2995.54 ' 





Since Mr. Gray's removal to Boston in 1809, his Sa- 
lem home has undergone many changes. In 18 14, it be- 
came a tavern under the name of the "Essex CofFee- 
House," and after General Lafayette's last visit to Salem, 
when he lodged in it, it was renamed the "Lafayette 
Coffee-House,"in his honor. To-day it is again called the 
"Essex House," though hardly a vestige of its original 
handsome outline or inside plan remains. 
* Salem Assessors' Records. 



CHAPTER III 



COMMERCE 



AT the period about which I am writing, long be- 
fore the invention of the telegraph and cable, and 
the introduction of steam, commerce had an en- 
tirely different aspect from what it has to-day. A captain 
would sail with instructions to some distant port or ports, 
to be gone for a year or more. Sometimes in the early 
voyages to China and India, maritime insurance was so 
high that in at least one instance (cf. letter of instructions 
to Captain William Ward, 1792) Mr. Gray mentions car- 
rying very little on the voyage. The captain was given a 
commission on his sales and purchases, and also had an 
" adventure " in the voyage ; and the final decision on 
these purchases and sales was left to his judgment, as there 
was no possible means of conferring with his employer. 
Consequently a great deal depended on the captain's 
shrewdness and resourcefulness. Sometimes, too, the cap- 
tain purchased an interest in his ship. If a cargo was of 
great importance, a supercargo was sent to assist the 
captain about his purchases and sales, and in the case of 

' The only letter-book belonging to Mr. Gray which was not de- 
stroyed in the Boston fire, covers the period from 1809 to 181 2; con- 
sequently this chapter on his commerce covers chiefly that period, and all 
the facts and letters, unless otherwise stated, are taken from this letter- 
book, which is the property of John Chipman Gray, Esq., of Boston. For 
a list of Mr. Gray's vessels see Appendix B. 

Mr. 



William Gray 51 

Mr. Gray's ship Trent, for Naples,"*Mr. Megit, the super- 
cargo, received one per cent on the sales and one per cent 
on the returns. 

A vessel did not necessarily sail to Boston * or Salem on 
the return voyage, but often to New York, New Orleans, 
Charleston, South Carolina, Baltimore, or any other port 
where her cargo would sell to the best advantage. If there 
was no return cargo to be had, the vessel was brought back 
in ballast. Mr. Gray also did a certain amount of coasting 
trade, but his chief trade was with foreign countries. He 
imported such articles as ginger, cotton, indigo, hemp, 
iron, ravens duck, Russia duck, Corsica wine, German 
linens, claret, salt, etc. ; and exported West India produce, 
brandy, pine boards and planks, coffee, logwood, fish, 
sugar, cocoa, rice, staves, Buenos Ayres hides, copper, 
Peruvian bark, — in fact, any articles for which there was 
a demand. 

His credit must have been of the best, as is clear from 
the following letters of credit given by him. 

Boston, Sept. 29, 1809. 
Capt. William Gallop 

As you are bound on a voyage to Europe, in case you 
want funds you have liberty to value on me for what you 
may want while absent to the amount of two hundred 

* Mr. Gray had removed to Boston by this time. On March i, 1809, 
the Non-Intercourse Law superseded the Embargo Act, and after May, 
18 10, this was temporarily suspended as regarded both Great Britain and 
France, and trade was resumed, though the Orders in Council, with vari- 
ous modifications, were still in effect, and Napoleon had not revoked his 
« Berlin " and " Milan " decrees. 

pounds 



52 William Gray 

pounds sterling, and your bills shall meet due honor, what 
you may draw indorse upon the back of this letter. 
Wishing you a successful voyage 
I am your friend 

Wm. Gray. 

Boston, Apl. 25, 18 10. 
My dear Sir 

. . . Enclosed you will please to receive a letter of 
credit, directed to either of my friends in Europe to fur- 
nish what you may want to the amount of seven thousand 
pounds sterling, or thirty thousand dollars, you will please 
to call for the whole or such part as you wish. . . . 

I am. Sir, 

With great respect 

Your most ob sert 

Wm. Gray. 
His Excellency John Quincy Adams 

Minister from U. States at the Court of St. Petersburg.* 

Another method was to draw bills on some European 
agent in favor of a captain, to be drawn when necessary. 

Boston, Mch. loth, 18 10. 

Messrs. Bainbridge & Brown, 

London. 

Gentlemen, 

Above you have copy of what I wrote you last, since 

which I have valued upon you 

'' General Correspondence of John Quincy Adams, 1810-11, no. 46, 
Massachusetts Historical Society. 

I 8 10, 



of Salem, Merchant 53 

1 8 10, Feb. 17 in favor John Treadwell ;i^92 

Mch. I, " " Joseph Foster looo 

" " Pratt & Andrews 500 

6 " " Alex^ H. Everett 500 

On the 1 5 Feby ult my ship Pactolus, John Bickford mas- 
ter, bound to East Indies sailed. I valued upon you in favor 
of said Captain the following bills, which he may nego- 
ciate if he finds it for my interest, annexed you have his 
signature. 

One set favor Bickford ;^5000 

One do 4000 

One do 3000 

One do " 2000 

One do 1000 

15000 

All the bills at 60 days sight. 

I am respectfully. Gentlemen, 

Your most obedient servant 

Wm. Gray. 

Enclosed is Joseph Moody's 2nd exchange on Bainbridge 
& Brown in my favor at 60 days sight ^1200 stierling.' 

On December 31, 1809, Mr. Gray had a balance 
due him with Messrs. Bainbridge & Brown, who seem 
to have been his London agents at this period, of 
^38,505. i6j. zd. 

Another way of doing business was to have a regular 
correspondent at a given port and to have him assist the 
captains in their sales and purchases. 

^ In these letters I have followed the spelling and punctuation in the 
letter-book. 

Boston, 



54 William Gray 

Boston, Dec. 22nd, 1809. 
Messrs. Vallin Routh & Co. 

Naples. 
Gentlemen 

This I hope will be handed you by Capt. Timothy New- 
hall of my schooner Louisiana bound to your place, with 
a cargo of logwood, fish, sugar and cocoa ; I request you 
will assist Capt. Newhall in the sale of this cargo, and 
invest the proceeds in sewing silks, crepes and lustrings, 
which ship on board said schooner and dispatch her 
directly for this port. 

If any other of my vessels should be with you, I request 

you will advise and assist them to proceed as is most for 

my interest. 

Your humble servant, 

Wm. Gray. 

At times the merchandise was left with the correspond- 
ent to be sold as and when he saw fit, and such corre- 
spondents were allowed commissions. 

Sometimes Mr. Gray seems to have used the above 
method, but at others, even at the same port, the captain 
and supercargo did the trading without the aid of the agent. 

Again cash was shipped in bulk and a return cargo 
purchased with it. 

Boston, June 16, 18 10. 

Mr. Ramdollolday, 

Benaja. 
I have shipped on board the Caravan, Capt. Gilchrist, 
ten casks containing twenty thousand three hundred and 

nineteen 



of Salem, Merchant 55 

nineteen dollars which I request you will invest in indigo 
under the inspection of Capt. Gilchrist provided you can 
procure that article, and of the best quality at a price not 
exceeding one dollar per pound. If the indigo cannot be 
had at the foregoing terms then please to put the money at 
interest until the price comes down to the above price. 
The goods by Capt. Bickford came to hand in good 
order. 

Your humble servt. 

Wm. Gray. 

This method of having agents, was a radical change 
from that pursued in the early voyages to the Far East 
(cf. letters to Captain William Ward, supra) y in which 
the captain was his own purchasing and selling agent. 

By 1 8 10, Mr. Gray was beginning to establish corre- 
spondents in all European countries, and in Russia, Mr. 
John Quincy Adams was of great assistance to him. 

Boston, July 13th, 18 10. 
My dear Sir; — 

I have wrote you frequently, but am loath to miss any 
opportunity, this goes in my Barque Leopard, Capt. 
Samuel Barker. I have taken the liberty to instruct him 
to call upon my son for advice, in his absence upon your 
Excellency for advice, what house to value upon to assist 
him in transacting his business, you will readily conceive, 
my object in referring Capt. Barker to you for advice, as 
I presume it will give you or my son, an opportunity to 
oblige your friends, and as you are upon the spot, you 

must 



56 William Gray 

must know the most solid houses, you will excuse this 
liberty that I have taken, I do not wish to intrude upon 
your time or attention fi:Dm more important avocations 
to attend to my commercial business but only to name a 
good Merchant, should you be in want of funds you may 
appropriate any part of this Cargo to your use, if an ad- 
vantage can be made by the goods being on hand until 
winter that mode may be adopted or any other steps that 
will promote my interest, I expect to write by a vessel 
"that will sail for St. Petersburg in two days, by her I will 
write you more particular and send a file of newspapers. 

I am respectfully 

Sir yr Most ob* ser' 

Wm. Gray. 

His Excellency John Quincy Adams 
Minister at the Court of St. Petersburg.' 

The following extract, taken from a letter to Mr. 
Adams, shows the prices Mr. Gray was willing to pay for 
Russian goods: — 

Invoice of goods which Wm. Gray desires Mr. Joseph 
S. Farley to have purchased at St. Petersburg next winter. 
1000 tons of old Sable iron if it can be purchased at a 
price not exceeding ten pounds sterling per ton. 

' General Correspondence of John Quincy Adams, 1810-11, no. 
76, Massachusetts Historical Society, The manuscript diary of John 
Quincy Adams gives the profit made on an earlier voyage to Russia : " No- 
vember 8, 1809. Captain Beckford called upon us this morning, but re- 
turned this day to Cronstadt. His cargo makes a great voyage for Mr. 
Gray. By the sale of the goods he will clear about 115,000 dollars upon 
the cargo neat proceeds." 

1000 



of Salem, Merchant ^ 57 

1000 tons clean hemp, if it can be purchased at a price not 
exceeding thirty pounds sterling per ton. 

5000 ps of the best Russia sailcloth if it can be had not 
exceeding fifty shillings sterling per pd. 

5000 ps. Russia sheeting called Flems if it can be had not 
exceeding forty five shillings sterling per pd for the 
payment of these goods. Bills on Messrs. Bainbridge 
& Brown of London for account of Wm. Gray, which 
bills will be paid provided they have a certificate ac- 
companying them signed by His Excellency John 
Quincy Adams that they are for my account. 

Wm. Gray. 

Boston Massachusetts, 3rd October, 18 10.' 

Mr. Gray was careful to instruct his captains in the vari- 
ous acts of trade of European nations, and wished them 
always to adhere to said regulations. 

Boston, Jan. 21, 181 1. 
Mr. Joseph G. Cogswell 

London 
Sir 

... by no means break any acts of trade, or laws of 
any nation. Perhaps if the oil is sold, by Mr. Cogswell's 
going over to France, he may obtain a permit to go with 
an empty vessel, and take another cargo of oil at Gallipoli 
and proceed to St. Petersburg. I am content to hazard 
the vessel, and fifty or sixty thousand dollars anywhere, 
where the prospect is good. If nothing better can be 

' General Correspondence of John Quincy Adams, i8io-ii,no. 122, 
Massachusetts Historical Society. 

done. 



58 William Gray 

done, then the Radius had better proceed for St. Peters- 
burg in ballast for a cargo to this country . . . upon the 
whole, do what you think for my interest. 
Yours sincerely 

Wm. Gray. 

England and France being at war, the merchants of 
neutral nations could in consequence make large profits 
by screening the property of the belligerents. Mr. Gray 
always refused to do this, preferring to make his profits 
in a straightforward manner. 

Boston, Jan. 26, 181 1. 
Messrs. Scott Burn & Co. 

Gentlemen, 

I have received your favor of the 8th, by which I 
observe you are concerned in the Radius under the direction 
of Mr. Cogswell, from whom I have several letters, some 
dated at Malta, some at Gibraltar, the last, of the 9th Dec. 
in which Capt. Lander informs me they shall proceed 
directly for this port. What has induced them to vary the 
voyage, I know not, nor can I form an opinion what the 
oil may be worth in this market, but I presume it is not 
calculated for the consumption of this country. Whether 
it can with any degree of safety be exported to Europe 
must depend upon the subsequent Regulations of the Euro- 
pean nations. If we can go with safety to Russia, no doubt 
it would answer there. I observe you say it was low in 
England, when it answers here I shall consult Mr. Cogs- 
well and do everything to promote our mutual interest — 
and perhaps we may keep it on hand until we can hear 

from 



of Salem, Merchant 59 

from you. I observe you say the vessel sails in my name 
and that you hope I shall be content to have her continue 
so, to this I must reply, that if she is not bona fide my pro- 
perty, I cannot consent that she should be so considered, 
therefore I shall never consent to have her leave the U. 
States upon the account of another — for I never did nor 
will cover one cent for any person on earth, — therefore 
I cannot and will not make a false declaration. I have 
wrote Messrs. Bainbridge & Brown in London to confer 
with you upon the subject and if they can agree with you 
for your interest in the Radius to do it and pay you the 
amount. If they cannot, then she must lay here until we 
have your answer. The silks shall be shipped to London 
as soon as they arrive. Please to write me frequently and 
believe me 

Yours sincerely 

Wm. Gray. 

Boston, 26 Jan. 1811. 
Messrs. Bainbridge & Brown 
Gentlemen 

I have received letters from Messrs. Scott Burn & 
Co. informing me they were concerned with Mr. Cogs- 
well (who is my agent) in the Brig Radius — that vessel 
was bound from the Mediterranean to England, but by 
letters from Gibraltar 9th Dec. the commander writes me 
they should proceed directly to this State. It is not likely 
that we can find a market for this cargo here, whether we 
can export it or not to Europe depends upon the Regu- 
lations of the European powers. I know of no country 

where 



6o William Gray 

where it will sell to advantage except Russia under ex- 
isting circumstances, if you can purchase of Messrs. Scott 
Burn & Co. their part of this cargo at a price not exceed- 
ing what it would have neated in London, at the time it 
would have arrived, and the vessel at a price not exceeding 
five thousand dollars for the whole, please to purchase and 
pay for her on my account. This proposal I make with 
a view to give the London owners opportunity to make 
new insurance, or to make arrangements with the old 
underwriters, and not only to do justice to all parties, but 
to save both Capt. Lander and Mr. Cogswell from blame. 
The silks on board the Radius, I presume ought to go to 
England, where I can send them after they arrive here. . . . 
I request you will transact the business of the Radius as 
you think most for my interest, perhaps Messrs. Scott Burn 
& Co. will give you better terms, or may have proposed 
more advantageous terms, that you can ask them. Resting 
assured that you will do everything in your power to pro- 
mote my interest 

I am yours sincerely 

Wm. Gray. 

Boston, May 29, 18 ii. 
Messrs. Ryburg & Co. 

Copenhagen. 
Gentlemen 

... of this you may be assured I never have or will 
screen or cover any property for the British or any other 

foreigner. . . . 

Your most obt. sevt. 

Wm. Gray. 

He 



of Salem, Merchant 6i 

He was also scrupulous about obeying the laws of his 
own country. 

Boston, June 9th, 181 2. 
Capt. Stephen White & Co. 

Salem. 
Gentlemen 

I have received your letter of the 7th inst. If the Mary 
& Eliza should be so unfortunate as to be captured, and 
she can be ransomed before condemnation, I am content 
to contribute my proportion, but I think purchasing after 
condemnation would be counteracting, or defeating the 
laws of our Government so much, that I had rather not 
be concerned in the purchase. 

Your humble servant 

Wm. Gray. 

Again putting patriotism ahead of anything else, as he 
had done during the Embargo. 

Mr. Gray was always interested in and willing to aid 
young men in starting a business,' and was particularly 
solicitous about his captains when he thought of retiring 
from business himself. 

Boston, June 17th, 181 2. 
Capt. Picket 

I ought to have answered yours sooner respecting your 
request to loan your son-in-law some money, to which I 
shall have no objection with your indorsement, but I pre- 

* Bentley, vol. iii, p. 416, February 15, 1809. 

sume 



62 William Gray 

sume there is some salary due you, which I am ready to 
pay. I did not know but you prefer letting him that. 
This brought to my consideration whether considering 
my infirm health, and advanced age, I had not better 
close my commercial transactions and sell off my naviga- 
tion, as soon as there is an opening, which I have con- 
cluded to do, therefore I shall have no employment for 
you much longer. I suggest this now, that you may be 
looking around what is best to be done, I have thought it 
would be for your interest to hire a rope walk in Charles- 
town, or Newburyport, or Bath, in either place I will 
furnish you stock, as long as I have any, upon advanta- 
geous terms and wish you to pursue such courses as are for 
your interest. I do not wish to dictate, but only suggest 
what will be for your interest; you must determine for 
yourself. 

I am your real friend 

Wm. Gray. 

He did not, however, retire as he here proposes, but 
started business again after the War of 1 8 1 2, and kept on 
registering new vessels yearly until the year of his death, 
1825, registering his last vessel when he was seventy-five 
years old. 

It may be interesting to know the price of vessels prior 
to 181 2. In the letter of instructions to Captain William 
Ward, dated August 9, 1792 (see above, chapter i), Mr. 
Gray says the brig Enterprise cost five thousand dollars. 
She was built in 1792, and her tonnage was 164 tons, 
which is a little over $30 per ton. Again, in a letter to 

Mr. 



of Salem, Merchant 63 

Mr. Lewis Deblois, dated October 31, 1804, he offers 
to sell the ship Wells and appurtenances for seven thou- 
sand dollars.' The Wells was built in 1801, and was 205 
tons, which is a little over $34 per ton. 

As an example of the wages paid by him at this time, 
1809 to 1 81 2, I give the following:^ — 

Brig Rover ^ Captain William Groves^ February^ 1 8 1 1 





Monthly wage 


Privilege 


Captain 


^25. 


not 


Mate 


25. 


mentioned 


2nd Mate 


23- 




Seven seamen 


21. each 




I cook 


21. 




I boy 


II. 




Ship Horace^ Captain Thomas Leach^ 


March, 18 II 




Monthly wage 


Privilege 


Captain 


$2S. 


5 tons 


Mate 


25. 


30 cwt. 


2nd Mate 


23- 


20 cwt. 


^ the seamen 


20. 


None 


y^ the seamen 


16. 


cc 


cook 


19. 


(( 



Mr. Gray's commercial career extended over about 
fifty years; during that time, his ships sailed on every sea, 
and there was hardly a port at which they did not touch. 
As his ventures were so varied, they were naturally not 
always successful. At times he lost heavily through con- 
fiscation of property by Napoleon and through shipwreck, 

' Letter in possession of the author. 
* William Gray's executor's papers. 

thus 



64 William Gray 

thus losing not only his ships and cargoes, but his insur- 
ance as well, as he was his own underwriter. He did not 
insure his own property in other offices, though others 
came often to him for very large insurance, he being an 
underwriter in as many as ten private offices/ 

' Letter from Mr. Gray's grandson, William Gray, May 5, 1889. 



CHAPTER IV 



1810— 1825 



THE attitude of the New England Federalists 
toward the General Government during the Em- 
bargo was so disapproved of by Mr. Gray that 
he determined to leave the party. He was undoubtedly 
influenced in this decision by the personal attitude of the 
Federalists toward himself, which, as we have seen, was 
particularly bitter and hostile. Having left the Federalist 
party, shortly after his removal to Boston he was induced 
to run for Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts on the 
Republican ticket, along with the Honorable Elbridge 
Gerry for Governor. After a campaign in which, to quote 
Mr. Bentley, "all the virulence of invective" was heaped 
on Mr. Gray, and in which " it was impossible to descend 
to greater meanness than his former professed friends had 
done because he would not go all lengths with them," ^ 
the Republican candidates were elected ; the vote for 
Lieutenant-Governor being, Lieutenant-Governor Cobb, 
43,181 votes; Mr. Gray, 46,516; scattering, 220.^ 

Mr. Gray's views on the condition of affairs in Massa- 
chusetts and of commerce in general, are given in the fol- 
lowing letter to Mr. John Quincy Adams, written shortly 
after this election : — 

' Bentley, vol. iii, p. 501, February 27, 18 10. 
* Columbian Centinel^ ]une 2, 18 10. 

Boston, 



66 William Gray 

Boston, July i6th, 1810. 

His Excellency John Quincy Adams 
Minister Plenipotentiary at 
Court St. Petersburg 
My dear Sir : — 

It is a long time since I have been favored with a line 
from you, but I hope soon to have a feast of your letters, 
we begin to think of seeing the Horace soon, from her 
arrival we anticipate great joy, as then we expect 
letters from all your family. It is now near two months 
since we heard from either France or England, and four 
months since we heard from St. Petersburg, though we 
have advises from Tonningen and Gottenburg up to the 
1 2th May, we have sent the newspapers by this vessel 
directed to my son' in a box with some books which he 
wrote for, which you will please to open and peruse, if 
from any cause he should be absent. Permit me to solicit 
your kind and parental attention to my son, advise him so 
to employ his time as will best promote his happiness 
through life, he is very dear to me, and I have strong hopes 
that he will be a comfort and support to his parents, in the 
evening of their lives, and the decline of their days. It is 
your countenance, advice and instruction I ask, but I do 
request you will not let him be any expense to you in a 
pecuniary way. 

Your honored Father the President, observed a few 
days since, that he did not know that you could render 
your country any service abroad, while Europe was in 

' Francis Calley Gray. 

such 



of Salem, Merchant 67 

such a state, but your countrymen in general have strong 
hopes and expectations from your mission. 

I think you will be gratified with the change in New 
England, it is quite as great as it appears in the papers. 
The choice of Governor Gerry has united the people, and 
they are becoming independent of foreign influence, in- 
deed the Government never was stronger. Our commerce 
is very much embarrassed, and the rate of premium about 
the same as when you left home; our merchants begin to 
see that without a free trade to the Continent of Europe, 
commerce will not be profitable to them, nor worth pur- 
suing ; our manufactures are fast improving, and we shall 
soon be independent of Europe for most of the necessaries 
of life. 

If you should want funds in Europe, the bearer will 
furnish you out of the proceeds of this cargo, with re- 
spects to you and compliments to your family 

I am respectfully 

Your most obedient servant 

Wm. Gray.' 

Mr. Gray still had time for other pursuits than politics 
and commerce, as during the following winter he was ap- 
pointed to preside over the Penobscot Bank ^ which had 
got into difficulties. 

In 1 8 1 1 , Messrs. Gerry and Gray were again elected 
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, Mr. 

' General Correspondence of John Quincy Adams, 1810— ii, no. 78, 
Massachusetts Historical Society. 

^ Columbian Centinel, December 26, 18 10. 

Gray's 



68 William Gray 

Gray's vote this time being 43,396 as against 39,784 for 
Mr. William Phillips, with 2 1 9 scattering.' 

The Non-Intercourse law had superseded the Embargo 
Act on March i, 18 09, and after May, 1810, this law was 
temporarily suspended as regarded both Great Britain and 
France. Trade was resumed with both countries, though 
the Orders in Council, with various modifications, were 
still in effect, and though Napoleon had not revoked his 
"Berlin" and "Milan" decrees. Commerce was therefore 
carried on, but under conditions which are well described 
in the following extract from a letter from Mr. John 
Quincy Adams to Mr. Gray: — 

St. Petersburg, 6 April, 181 1. 
His Honor William Gray 

Boston 
Dear Sir: — 

. . . Commercial speculation of all kinds is at this time 
exposed to such great and extraordinary hazards that the 
advice I should be tempted to give a friend whose fortune 
is made, would be rather to lay his ships up in Port, and 
wait for a less tempestuous time than to risk the chances of 
the seas, when universal robbery has become the only Law 
of Nations. But I know that you have a more adventur- 
ous spirit, and that principles of benevolence to others far 
more than your own personal interest prompt you to keep 
so large a portion of your capital still afloat in the midst of 
the commercial shipwrecks which are spreading ruin upon 
the face of every sea, and bestrewing every shore. . . . 

I renew my thanks to you for the obliging manner 

' Columbian Centinely June i , 1 8 1 1 . 

with 



of Salem, Merchant 69 

with which you sent me the letter of credit which I had 
requested of you, and for the subsequent orders to several 
of your captains and supercargoes to supply me from the 
proceeds of their cargoes any funds which I might want. 
This kindness was still enhanced by your forbearance to 
require from my brother the security upon my property 
which I had directed him to give. . . •. 

I am with great esteem and friendship 
Dear Sir 

Your very humble and obedt Servt 

John Quincy Adams.' 

The British nation, however, still maintained the right 
to search neutral ships and to impress any seamen who 
were judged to be British subjects. In this way, many 
American citizens were unjustly impressed into service on 
British vessels, and this personal disgrace, added to the re- 
sentment against the British Orders in Council, finally 
brought about the War of 1812. That Mr. Gray was be- 
ginning to feel that war was inevitable is well shown by 
an extract from a letter written by him to his agents ir 
London: — 

Boston, Aug. loth, 181 1. 
Messrs. Bainbridge & Brown 
London 
. . . but we have just heard the unpleasant information 
of the condemnation of the Fox and others bound to 

' Papers of John Quincy Adams. Letter-book no. 9, no. 154, Massa- 
chusetts Historical Society. 

France, 



70 William Gray 

France, whatever you may have done with respect to prose- 
cuting the appeal I shall be satisfied with ; though from 
present appearance I rather think it will be best not, I think 
this nation never will submit to the principles set up by 
your Government, dreadful as the conflict will be, it must 
come with all its horrors, which I pray God to avert, if 
the Orders in Council are not repealed, and the property 
restored condemned under them, there never will or can 
be an accommodation between the two nations. . . . 
I am respectfully Gentlemen 

Your most obt. servt. 

Wm. Gray.^ 

Mr. Gerry was again nominated for Governor by the Re- 
publicans in 1 8 1 2, but Mr. Gray declined the nomination 
for Lieutenant-Governor, owing to ill health.'' The tables 
were turned at this election, the Federalist candidate, Hon. 
Caleb Strong, being chosen Governor. 

The United States Government, in view of possible 
war, opened subscriptions for a loan in Boston in April, 
1 8 1 2, and Mr. Gray promptly subscribed $ i oo,ooo.3 War 
was finally declared against Great Britain on the i8th 
of June, 1 8 1 2, though the United States was not in the 
least prepared for it, having very few vessels in her navy 
and an army of only about ten thousand men. 

As soon as war was declared, Mr. Gray sent the follow- 
ing letter to the shippers and fishermen, informing them 
of the news and advising them to proceed to port : — 

' William Gray's letter-book. 

* Independent Chronicle^ Boston, February 17, 1 81 2. 

3 Columbian Centinel, May 2, 18 12. 

Boston, 



of Salem, Merchant 71 

Boston, June 24, 181 2. 
To the Shippers, or Commanders of any Fishermen 
upon the Banks or elsewhere 

Whereas war has been declared by the Government of 
the United States against Great Britain, I hereby advise 
and request the commanders of any, or all American ves- 
sels to proceed immediately to some safe port in the United 
States, the Eastern ports will be the most safe and then 
come along shore. 

Wm. Gray. 

Boston, June 25th, 181 2. 
Capt. Russell 

If you see any fishermen on the Banks I request you 
will deliver the letters directly to them and desire them 
to give the information. . . . 

Wm. Gray.' 

During the early part of the war, our frigate, the Con- 
stitution, after her escape from the British squadron, put 
into Boston Harbor, and for some reason our Government 
did not think it necessary to supply again the funds for 
equipping her for sea. It is said that Mr. Gray, on hear- 
ing this, came forward and generously supplied what was 
needed.* How jubilant he must have been when she met 
and defeated the Guerriere! As the war progressed, Mr. 

' William Gray's letter-book. 

^ Letter from his grandson, William Gray, May 5, 1889; also. The 
Aristocracy of Boston ; who they are and what they were. By one who knows 
them; 1848, p. 19. (Boston Public Library.) 

Gray 



72 William Gray 

Gray advanced largely to the Government loans, subscrib- 
ing $300,000 to the first loan, and advancing $200,000 
on later ones,' as he did not believe individuals should 
be wealthy and yet not help the Government in time of 
need. It is said, moreover, that he never took advantage 
of the exigencies of the times, to speculate in Government 
securities.^ 

Before the war he had employed more than forty sail 
of vessels, and was said to have lost more money by the 
war than any man in the Union. ^ His vessels were cap- 
tured by the enemy. Loss succeeded to loss, but his con- 
stant reply was, when taunted by the opponents of the 
war, "Never more prosperous."^ That was the heart of 
the patriot rising superior to all sordid considerations; so 

' Independent Chronicle, Fehmzry 14, 1 8 14. The Centinel, May 2, 1 81 2, 
says he subscribed ;^ 100,000 at the opening of the first loan; the rest was 
probably subscribed later on. The volume of Reports of the Secretary of the 
Treasury of the United States, 1 790-18 14, p. 486, gives the amount sub- 
scribed to loans in 181 2 by individuals in Boston and Salem as ;^ 7 24, 100, 
but does not say vi^ho the individuals were. Ibid., p. 537, says William 
Gray, of Boston, subscribed 1^197,000 to the loan of 1814. 

* Frazar Kirkland, Cyclopaedia of Commercial and Business Anecdotes, y (A. 

I., p. 35- 

3 Independent Chronicle, March 7, 18 14. Colonel Samuel Swett wrote 

of Mr. Gray June 11, 1864: "His fleet amounted at one time to forty 
four vessels, many of them the largest ships then constructed." Mr. Gray's 
grandson, William Gray, wrote May 5, 1889: "There have been exag- 
gerated reports as to the number of vessels owned by him at one time. 
I do not think the number ever exceeded thirty-eight." Cf. figures given 
in chap. 11. 

•♦ John B. Derby, A Few Reminiscences of Salem, Massachusetts, p. 9. 
(Boston Athenaeum.) Published, 1847. ^^ '^^ Independent Chronicle, 
August 17, 181 2, I find: "Letter of Marque ship Catherine belonging 

long 



of Salem^ Merchant 73 

long as the rights of his country were defended, he forgot 
his own interests. It was the case of the Embargo over 
again: the general feeling in Massachusetts was strongly 
against the war, and Mr. Gray stood out conspicuously, 
as one of the few great merchants in New England who 
were willing to support the General Government. The 
general feeling in Massachusetts seems to have been a de- 
termination to do nothing by way of active support of 
the war, but solely to defend ourselves against foreign 
aggression. 

Mr. Gray's rather sanguine views on the outcome -of 
the struggle are shown in the following extract from a 
letter to Mr. John Quincy Adams: — 

Boston, Apl. 19th, 1813. 
Sir: — 

... I yet hope peace may be restored and that the 
mission now going out will with yourself, be the negoci- 
ators of a general peace. This mission I hope will afford 
you and your family an opportunity to visit your native 
country, where I hope soon to see you rendering all the 
service in your power, which I am sure you will cheer- 
fully do, and never were your services more wanted. I 
think you must be gratified to find your countrymen 
gaining such victories on the ocean. Indeed I think our 

to William Gray Esq., of Boston was captured and sent into Halifax, by 
the British Brig of War Colibri, after a running fight of several hours. 
The Catherine was very much shattered, but lost none of her men. The 
Colibri had one man killed and seven or eight wounded." 

The brig John, brig Spitfire, and brig Essex were also captured by the 
British. 

National 



74 William Gray 

National character is rising beyond all calculation, if the 
war lasts, we must and shall have the two Canadies and 
then we shall have a vast many furs to export. I presume 
Russia would be a good market for them, that country 
and this are peculiarly well calculated to promote each 
other's interest by commerce. . . . 

I am with great respect Sir 

Your most obt servant 

Wm. Gray.* 

After two years and a half peace was made at Ghent, 
December 24, 18 14, but the news of it did not reach 
Washington until after the battle of New Orleans. 

Despite politics and war Mr. Gray had time for other 
interests. When, in 1 8 1 1 , it was decided to erect a monu- 
ment to George Washington in Boston, His Honor Wil- 
liam Gray was appointed to serve as one of the trustees;^ 
and again in 1 8 1 3 he was chosen vice-president of the 
Massachusetts General Hospital, Lieutenant-Governor 
William Phillips being president of the institution.^ 

In October, 1812, Mr. Gray had been named as a 
presidential elector by the Republicans,'^ but the Federalist 
electors were chosen.5 The Republican party in Massa- 
chusetts represented those willing to uphold the General 
Government in the War of 181 2, and was extremely 

' General Correspondence of John Quincy Adams, 18 12-13, no. 119, 
Massachusetts Historical Society. 

^ Columbian Centinel, December 4, 1 8 1 1 . 
3 Independent Chronicle^ February 4, 181 3. 
* Ibid.^ October 26, 181 2. 
5 Columbian Centinel^ November 21, 181 2. 

unpopular 



of Salem, Merchant 75 

unpopular in the State, the Federalists being for peace; 
and the intense feeling created by the Embargo was fanned 
into a flame again by the war. 

Honorable Samuel Dexter was named for Governor of 
Massachusetts in 1814, and Mr. Gray was again induced 
to run for Lieutenant-Governor on the Republican ticket; ' 
but they were defeated by the Federalist or Anti-War 
candidates.^ Nevertheless, in 18 15, Messrs. Dexter and 
Gray were again nominated by the Republicans, but were 
again defeated.^ 

When peace was declared, Mr. Gray was in his sixty- 
fifth year, but with no thought as yet of retiring from 
active business ; he registered as many as eighteen vessels 
in Boston in the year following the war, and kept up his 
commercial pursuits until the year of his death. 

It may interest the reader to compare the number of 
seamen Mr. Gray had employed before the war with the 
number employed by his contemporaries: — 

Number of seamen 
annually employed 

Eben Parsons, Boston 150 

"William Parsons, Boston 50 

Caleb Loring, Boston 40 

John Holland, Boston 30 

William Gray, Boston 300 

Theodore Lyman, Boston 100 

J. and T. H. Perkins, Boston 150 

Israel Thorndike, Boston 200 

William Sturgis, Boston 70 

' Independent Chronicle^ February 17, 18 14. 

' Ibid.^ April 7, 18 14. 

3 Ibid.^ February 27, 181 5; April 13, 181 5. 

Number 



']6 William Gray 

Number of seamen 
annually employed 

Joseph Peabody, Salem 150 

William Orne, Salem 60 

Nath. Hooper, Marblehead 50 

B. T. Reed, Marblehead 65 

Matthew Bridge, Charlestown 25 

B. Hedge, Jun., Plymouth 60 

Jos. Moody, Kennebunk 45 

Otis Little, Castine 15 ' 

These figures were given by the merchants examined 
before a committee of the Massachusetts Legislature in 
1 8 1 3, at an investigation to ascertain the number of sea- 
men impressed from our vessels by British men-of-w^ar. 
Before the same committee, Mr. Gray made a sworn 
statement that for the last fifteen or twenty years he had 
employed about three hundred seamen annually upon 
the average.^ 

Mr. Gray's fourth son, John Chipman Gray, having 
finished his course at Harvard in 181 1, started for Eng- 
land in 1 8 1 5, and on his departure his father wrote to him 
the following letter, full of good advice and of the prin- 
ciples that had guided his own course through life : — 

Boston, October 14, 181 5. 

My dear Son : — 

As you are now about to embark on the great theatre 
of the world, I request you to act your part well and play 
the man, in whatever situation you may be placed, do 
justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God, in reading 
your bible, you will find great consolation and comfort, 

' Columbian Centinel^ April 3, 181 3. * Ibid. 

and 



of Salem^ Merchant 77 

and if you give a fair construction to what you read you 
will find a guide in every situation and trial that you may 
be called to. As you launch out upon the wide ocean you 
will see the wonders of that great deep, which must fill 
your mind with reflections how great must be that Infinite 
Power which created that vast body with its inhabitants, 
not only that, but all things were created by Him, and by 
His infinite power and mercy are governed in perfect order. 
The perfection of His system which governs the world and 
all things in it must lead you to adore and admire His 
goodness and perfection. 

Let system and method be observed in all your con- 
duct, do not let your eyes be blinded with prejudice nor 
your understanding clouded with passion, but keep reason 
at the helm, let that be your guide through life. You 
possess a full share of the blessings of this life for which 
you ought to be very grateful to the Author of all the 
blessings you enjoy, having a good constitution with a 
sound body and mind and a good education with an ample 
fortune, quite a competency, with parents that have been 
devoted to their children and united in doing everything in 
their power to promote the real happiness and usefulness of 
you all, without partiality for anyone, or prejudice against 
any, but to watch over them all for their good, with such 
advantages your friends have much to expect from you. 

There is one relation that I hope you will be blessed with, 
that is nearer than a brother, or parents ; in your choice 
of a wife I trust you will be prudent and judicious, you 
will recollect that property is not so material to you, as 
it is likely by the blessing of Providence, if you are careful 

of 



yS William Gray 

of what you have it will be sufficient to maintain a family. 
Though women are not always the better for having prop- 
erty, neither are they the worse, I only mean to have you 
led in this state by the most valuable qualities ; such as I sup- 
pose ought to be the first objects are those of a sound body 
and mind a good understanding and temper, comely, but 
extreme beauty is not to be wished, affectionate and kind, 
if you can find such a woman, that will accept you for a 
husband, the sooner you are married the better, for life is 
short at best, and if wasted in dissipation it is worse than 
lost, and, if not married till old age, men are very likely to 
conduct improperly when they do marry and if nothing 
worse they are hardly worth a woman's accepting, therefore 
I recommend your marrying young. In looking for a wife 
you must not expect perfection, you will recollect you 
have not a perfect husband to give her, in that state much 
mutual forbearance, condescension, kindness, affection, and 
good faith, are due to each other. If I shall live to see 
you possess the affections of a wife, I will be everything 
to her that an indulgent parent ought to be to the wife 
of a son so beloved as you are by me. It has been a great 
consolation to me to observe so much harmony prevail 
among our children, do all you can to continue it, love 
among brethren is like apples of gold in pictures of 
silver. 

In politics be an American a firm supporter and defender 
of the Government and Constitution, let no man be called 
Master, but search and examine for yourself. 

Now my dear son go, God bless you here and here- 
after; may He in his infinite mercy preserve you from 

all 



of Salem, Merchant 79 

all evil shall be my constant prayer. Write me by all 
opportunities, write frequently to your Mother, never 
forget her nor her kindness, and affection for you, you 
certainly owe her all your affection, respect and attention. 

Yr affectionate 

Wm. Gray. 

In 1 8 16, the Republican party again nominated Mr. 
Gray as a candidate for Lieutenant-Governor, but he de- 
clined the nomination on account of the great pressure of 
private and business concerns.' Nevertheless, in Decem- 
ber of the same year, he was named for Governor of 
Massachusetts by the Republicans,^ but he declined the 
nomination.3 Politics still ran so high that there was very 
little social intercourse between men of opposite parties; 
in fact, Mr. George Ticknor once said that Mr. Gray's 
was the only table in Boston where men of both parties 
met, so high was the political temperature.^ 

This same year, the United States Bank decided to start 
a Boston Branch, and Mr. Gray was appointed one of the 
commissioners for receiving subscriptions,^ and was later 
appointed a Director,^ but declined the appointment.^ He 
must, however, have reconsidered his refusal, as he was 
unanimously elected president of the Boston Branch of 

' Independent Chronicle^ February 12, 18 16. 
' Ibid.,, December 12, 1816. 
3 Ihid.,, December 16, 181 6. 

■♦ Letter from Mr. Gray's grandson, William Gray, May 5, 1889. 
5 Independent Chronicle,, May 27, 181 6; also Columbian Centinelj May 
II, 1816. 

^ Columbian Centinel^ December 4, 18 16. 
7 Ibid.^ December 7, 18 16. 

the 



8o William Gray 

the United States Bank in December, 1816,' to which 
office he was reelected during the six following years,^ 
after which he declined to serve. 

In July, 1 8 17, the President of the United States, Mr. 
Monroe, paid a visit to Boston. Mr. Gray had been ap- 
pointed one of the committee to receive him,^ and was 
more or less prominent on the occasion. The President 
was given a dinner at Medford by Governor John Brooks, 
and the company included, to quote the " Centinel," Hon. 
John Adams, Hon. Messrs. Phillips, Gray, Bigelow, 
Brooks, and others. Another day, the President, with the 
Governor, and a cortege, took carriages and proceeded to 
Quincy, to dine with the venerable ex-President of the 
United States, in company with the Honorables Messrs. 
Quincy, Dearborn, Gray, etc., etc.'^ Thursday evening, the 
President was entertained by Mrs. Dearborn, Friday even- 
ing by Mrs. William Gray, and Saturday evening by Mrs. 
H. G. Otis. I quote the "Centinel" for an account of 
Mrs. Gray's reception : — 

" On Friday evening Mrs. William Gray had the honor 
of receiving the President at her residence in Summer 
St. On this occasion that magnificent mansion was filled 

' Columbian Centinel^ December 18, 1816. 

' Independent Chronicle and Boston Patriot^ December 3, 181 7; De- 
cember 5, 1818; December 22, 1819. He was reelected a director 
{ibid.^ December 6, 1820), but I can find no notice of a president being 
elected in 1820 or 1821 ; however {ibid.^ December 4, 1822), " William 
Gray was unanimously reelected president at a meeting of Directors, &c." 
Columbian Centinel^ "Novemher 9, 1825, says, "he continued as president 
until he refused reelection." 

3 Columbian Centinel^ June7,i8i7. 

* Ibid.y July 9, 181 7. 

with 



fVilliam Gray 



of Salem, Merchant 8i 

with a large and fashionable company of ladies and gentle- 
men, and the spacious gardens in the rear were brilliantly- 
illuminated. It produced a wonderful effect ; and could 
not but attract attention to the princely fortune of the 
opulent owner, who could there, in the centre of a great 
city combine all the beauties of the country and town." ' 

That August Mr. Gray presided at a public dinner given 
to the Honorable John Quincy Adams in the Exchange 
Coifee-House by his fellow citizens of Boston."* 

Mr. Gray still kept up a lively interest in politics, and 
in 1818, 1 8 19, and 1820 he was nominated for State 
Senator from Suffolk County by the Republicans,^ — of 
Democrats, as they were interchangeably called, — but in 
each instance he was defeated by the Federalist candidate.'^ 

When in August, 1 820, the merchants and others inter- 
ested in the prosperity of the commerce and the agricul- 
ture of the State of Massachusetts and the United States 
held a large meeting in Boston, Mr. Gray was chosen 
chairman. 5 Again, in October, he was chosen chairman 
at a meeting held in Faneuil Hall, on the subject of the 
proposed tariff.^ 

The year 1820 was a presidential election year, and 
the Federalist party in Massachusetts put in nomination 
as electors-at-large for President and Vice-President, His 

' Columbian Centinel^]\x\y 9, 1817. » Ibid.^ August 27, 1817. 

3 Independent Chronicle and Boston Patriot (hereafter called the Chronicle)^ 
April 4, 1818; ibid.^ March 13, 1819. 

4 Chronicle, April 8, 1 81 8; ibid., April 7, 1819; Columbian Centinel, 
April 8, 1820. 

5 Columbian Centinel, August 19, 1820. 
^ Ibid., October 4, 1820. 

Honor 



82 William Gray 

Honor William Phillips and Hon. William Gray,' to 
support Mr. Monroe for a second term. In November, 
Mr. Gray was elected/ receiving a vote in Boston of 3455, 
— the largest vote cast in that city for any candidate. ^ 

This same year, Massachusetts decided to amend her 
Constitution, and Mr. Gray was elected a delegate to the 
Convention, by a vote of 1682, this being the second 
highest vote received in Boston by any candidate.'^ 

The election of Hon. Benjamin Gorham to Congress 
in 1820 occasioned a vacancy in the Senate of Massachu- 
setts from Suffolk County and Mr. Gray was a candidate to 
fill this position. 5 From the "Chronicle" of January 13, 
1 8 2 1 , we learn : " It will be seen by a reference to the legis- 
lative proceedings of yesterday, that the Honorable William 
Gray has been elected to fill the vacancy in the Senate of 
Massachusetts occasioned by the resignation of Hon. Benja- 
min Gorham." Mr. Gray's tenure of this office, however, 
was short-lived, as in the following March, when he was 
nominated as Senator from Suffolk by the Republicans,*^ 
the Federalist candidate won the election.^ 

In 1824, Mr. Gray was again elected presidential elec- 
tor-at-large on the ticket which was to support the Hon- 
orable John Quincy Adams for President,^ and when the 

' Chronicle^ August 26, 1820. 

^ Ibid.^ November 29, 1820. 

3 Ibid.^ November 8, 1820. 

-• Colurnbian Centinel^ October i8, 1820; Chronicle, October 18, 1820. 

5 Columbian Centinel, November 8, 1820. 

^ Chronicle, March 28, 1821. 

7 Ibid., April 3, 1821. 

^ Columbian Centinel, October 28, 1824J November 3, 1824. 

electoral 



of Salem, Merchant 83 

electoral college of Massachusetts met in December, he 
was chosen its president.' 

The last mention I find of Mr. Gray in a public posi- 
tion was when he presided at a public dinner given in 
Faneuil Hall on March 4, 1825, in honor of the election 
of his friend Mr. John Quincy Adams to the presidency 
of the United States.^ He was now seventy-four years old, 
and though he retained enough vigor and interest in com- 
mercial pursuits to register one vessel, the Hope, after his 
seventy-fifth birthday, he did not long survive the occa- 
sion, and died in Boston on November 3, 1825, having 
outlived his wife by two years. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Gray were buried in a vault under 
St. Paul's Church, Boston, their remains being finally re- 
moved to Mount Auburn Cemetery. 

Mr. Gray's assessment and taxes in Boston on December 

13, 1824, were as follows: — 

Assessment. 

Real, Wards ^18,000 

Real, Ward i 16,000 

Personal ....... 250,000 

Taxes — State^ city^ and county. 

Poll 1.50 

Real 289. 

Personal 2125. 

;^24i5.50 3 

He left an estate of about $900,000, exclusive of claims 

' Columbian Centinel^ December I, 1824. ^ Ibid.., March 5, 1825. 

' Boston Assessors' Records. These figures are written ;^ 18,000, and 
;^ 1 6,800, but added incorrectly to make 1^34,000. Evidently a mistake 
one way or the other. 

against 



84 William Gray 

against European governments amounting to $645,821.29, 
for spoliation of property owned and insured by him be- 
tween 1796 and 181 1, including $422,500 claims against 
France." The total of these latter has not, at the present 
writing, 191 3, been repaid by the United States Gov- 
ernment. 

From everything that happened in the lives of both 
William Gray and his wife, one is struck by the sim- 
plicity of their tastes. They were inclined to unostenta- 
tious living, and delighted not in large gatherings, but 
only in the society of their friends. They were both very 
religious, and in constant attendance at the Congregational 
Church in both Salem and Boston. To quote the "Co- 
lumbian Centinel," "Mr. Gray was unostentatious, plain 
and affable in his manners. In his pursuits he was judi- 
ciously enterprising, indefatigably industrious. In all sea- 
sons he rose at three or four o'clock and in the quiet of the 
morning read his letters, examined his accounts, formed 
his plans and made his arrangements. In his long com- 
mercial course, many of his vessels were wrecked — but 
he heard of such losses without the least visible emotion 
if human life were spared. He had sustained several ele- 
vated offices in the state, and those who differed from him 
in politics had the fullest confidence in his patriotism. '"* 

All through his life Mr. Gray worshipped truth, and 
made it a point that his word should be as good as his 
bond. In commercial transactions, he was scrupulously 
honest, and he is quoted as saying that "no bargain is a good 
bargain that is not equally good for both sides." Mr. 

' Executor's papers. ' Columbian Centinely November 9, 1825. 

Bentley 



of Salem, Merchant 85 

Bentley said of him that he had helped many young men 
in their business in Salem'; and at his death there was 
over $150,000 due him on small loans he had made to 
individuals.* Mrs. Gray also gave frequently to charity, 
as is shown by her various letters. As his sons grew up 
and started in business, Mr. Gray gave each of them 
$100,000, and both he and Mrs. Gray lived on terms of 
great affection with all their children. His son, Horace, 
was in partnership with him at the time of his death. 

He was always a strong supporter of the Government 
measures, even when these measures were against his busi- 
ness interests, and when such support made him the cen- 
tre of bitter attacks and lost him many friends. This was 
particularly the case, as we have seen, when he supported 
the Embargo Act in 1808, and again when he supported 
the Government measures during the War of 181 2. Un- 
til the Embargo, Mr. Gray belonged to the Federalist 
party, but the stand the Federalists took during the oper- 
ation of that measure so disgusted him that he joined the 
Republicans. He had strong convictions and the courage 
to live up to them, and his love of truth and square deal- 
ing made him universally respected. His enterprise and 
good fortune did much to promote the prosperity of Salem. 
In fact, his name was held in such high repute, that Salem 
even envies Lynn the honor of being his birthplace. 

"Salem and Lynn for Gray's birth now contest; 
Lynn gains the palm, but Salem fares the best." 3 

' Bentley, vol. in, p. 416, February 15, 1809. 

* Executor's papers. 

* Lewis, History of Lynn (second edition), p. 243. 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX A 

Letters of Marque^ of which William Gray^TertiuSy 
was owner or part owner ^ 

DEFENCE. November 1 8, 1 78 1. Massachusetts brigantine. 100 

tons. Guns: 10. Crew: 16. Bond: ;^20,ooo. 
Master : Robert Rentoul. Bonders : Robert Rentoul 
(Salem), William Gray, Tertius, Salem, Thomas 
Nicolson, Salem. Owner : William Gray, Salem. 
Witnesses : Abraham Gray, Jr.,' Samuel Gray,"* 
Isaac Pierce. 

(C. C, no. 196, vol. 3, p. 74. Mass., vol. 172, 

P- 63.0 

1 A "Letter of Marque" vessel carried a cargo to a destined port or ports, taking 
prizes if they came in her way, and defending herself against the enemy as a regularly 
commissioned private ship of war under heavy bonds to her Government to obey the 
rules of warfare. 

2 The Na'ual Records of the Re^volution, i/yji-i/88, edited by the Library of Con- 
gress, gives the bonder of these vessels as William Gray, Jr., the editor having mistaken 
the "Ten" (Tertius) for a "Jr.," as William Gray, Jr., is mentioned as owner in 
some of the bonds. I have seen tracings of the signature in the original bonds in Wash- 
ington, and also the original petitions to the Governor of Massachusetts for the com- 
manders' commissions in the Massachusetts Archives, and they are all signed by " Wm. 
Gray Ter." in our William Gray's handwriting. Our William Gray was William 
Gray, Tertius, until 1785, when he became William Gray, Jr., and no one who has 
compared his "Ter." with his "Jr." could mistake the one for the other. The bonds 
are made out in some instances to William Gray as owner, and in others to William 
Gray, Jr., but as they are all signed by William Gray, Tertius, I think it safe to say 
he was the owner and the mistake in his designation is a clerical error. The petition to 
the Governor of Massachusetts for the captain's commission of the brigantine Hector 
(Massachusetts Archives, vol. 172, p. 220) is made out in the name of William Gray, 
3d; the other petitions are made out in the name of William Gray; but all, with the 
exception of those of the Hind and the Venus (signed by Thomas Nicolson), are 
signed by "Wm. Gray, Ter." (Tertius). The tonnage of the vessels is given in 
the Massachusetts Archives. 

' Brother of William Gray, Tertius. "' Brother of William Gray, Tertius. 

5 C. C. = Papers of the Continental Congress. Mass. = Massachusetts Archives. 

HIND. 



90 



HIND. 



VENUS. 



DEFENCE.' 



HECTOR. 



HYNDE. 



Appendix 



July 3, 1782. Massachusetts brigantine. 120 tons. 
Guns: 8. Crew: 16. Bond: ^20,000. Master: 
Benjamin Durham. Bonders: Benjamin Durham, 
Salem, William Gray, Tertius, Salem, Benjamin 
West (Salem). Owners: William Gray (Jr.), and 
others, Salem. Witnesses : Ebenezer Swan, Thomas 
Nicolson. 

(C. C, no. 196, vol. 7, p. 53. Mass., vol. 172, 

p. 178.) 

July 3, 1782. Massachusetts ship. i40tons. Guns: 
10. Crew: 20. Bond: $20,000. Master: Thomas 
Nicolson. Bonders : Thomas Nicolson, Salem, 
William Gray, Tertius, Salem, Benjamin West. 
Owners : William Gray and others, Salem. Wit- 
nesses : Benjamin Durham, Ebenezer Swan. 

(C. C, no. 196, vol. 15, p. 98. Mass., vol. 172, 

p. 178.) 

October 26, 1782. Massachusetts brigantine. 100 
tons. Guns: 10. Crew: 16. Bond : ;^20,ooo. Mas- 
ter : John Barr. Bonders : John Barr, Salem, Will- 
iam Gray, Tertius, Salem, Francis Boardman, Salem. 
Owners : William Gray and others, Salem. Witnesses: 
John Chipman, Samuel Gray. 
(C. C, no. 196, vol. 3, p. 71.) 

November 5, 1782. Massachusetts brigantine. 100 
tons. Guns : 6. Crew: 15. Bond : ;^20,ooo. Mas- 
ter : John Cartwright. Bonders : John Cartwright 
(Salem), William Gray, Tertius, Salem, Abram 
Gray, Jr., Salem. Owners : William Gray and 
others, Salem. Witnesses : Robert Rentoul, Samuel 
Gray. 

(C. C, no. 196, vol. 7, p. 40. Mass., vol. 172, 

p. 220.) 

November 19, 1782. Massachusetts brigantine. 90 
tons. Guns: 8. Crew: 16. Bond: $20,000. Master: 



' When a letter of marque changed owners or master, a new bond was required. 

Francis 



Appendix 91 

Francis Boardman. Bonders : Francis Boardman, 
Salem, Samuel Gray, Salem, William Gray, Ter- 
tius, Salem. Owners: William Gray (Jr.), and 
others, Salem. Witnesses : Thomas Stimpson, Sam- 
uel Nicholls. 

(C. C, no. 196, vol. 8, p. 31. Mass., vol. 172, 

p. 229.) 

IRIS. December 23, 1782. Massachusetts ship. 100 tons. 

Guns: 9. Crew: 18. Bond: $20,000. Master: 
Robert Rentoul. Bonders : Robert Rentoul, Salem, 
William Gray, Tertius, Salem, Benjamin West, 
Salem. Owners : William Gray and others, Salem. 
Witnesses : Samuel Gray, Benjamin Folger. 

(C. C, no. 196, vol. 15, p. 39. Mass., vol. 172, 

p. 263.) 

UNION. December 31, 1782. Massachusetts brig. 100 tons. 

Guns: 6. Crew: 17. Bond: $20,000. Master: 
Isaac Smith. Bonders: Isaac Smith (Boston?), 
Thomas Snow, William Gray, Tertius (Salem). 
Owners : William Gray (Jr.), and others, Salem. 
Witnesses : Joseph Hussey, Daniel Boyer. 

(C. C, no. 196, vol. 15, p. 81. Mass., vol. 172, 

p. 270.) 



APPENDIX B 

List of Ships Owned by William Gray 

The following list of William Gray's ships is compiled from the Ship 
Registers of the District of Salem and Beverly^ lySg-igoo^ published in 
the Essex Institute Historical Collections, and from the records in the 
Boston Custom House. 

The first register record that appears in the Salem Custom House is 
dated October 6, 1789, and the following is the name of one of Mr. 
Gray's vessels prior to that date: — 

VOLANT. Brig, 1785. William Gray, Jr., owner; Joseph 

Mosely, master." 



1789' 

ESSEX. Schooner, 98 tons. Scarborough, 1782. Reg. October 

17, 1789. William Gray, Jr., owner; Samuel Derby, 
master. 

FANNY. Brigantine, 156 tons. Pittston, 1784. Reg. Novem- 

ber 14, 1789. William Gray, Jr., owner; John Wal- 
lace, master. 

CERES. Brigantine, 173 tons. Saco, 1788. Reg. November 

14, 1789. William Gray, Jr., Weld Gardner, Samuel 
Gray, Francis C. Gray, owners ; Thomas Simonds, 
master. Reg. October 29, 1791. William Gray, Jr., 
Weld Gardner, owners ; Benjamin Ives, master. 
(Lost at sea 1791 or 1792.) 

' Essex Institute Historical Collections. Our William Gray became William Gray, 
Jr., in the latter part of 1785. 

* In some years, the owner of these vessels is registered as William Gray, Jr., and in 
others, as William Gray. Our William Gray was known as William Gray, Jr., until 
1806, but as he was the only William Gray in Salem at this period who was a ship- 
owner, I think it safe to say he is meant in every case. The Ulysses and the Enterprise 
are both registered as belonging to William Gray, but the letters of instructions to their 
captains are written by William Gray, Jr. (see supra), showing that the William Gray 
is a clerical error. 

SWALLOW. 



Appendix 



93 



SWALLOW. 



NEPTUNE. 



ACTIVE. 



BEE. 



ROBIN. 



HAWK. 



FREEDOM. 



CERES. 



Schooner, 70 tons. Bradford, 1786. Reg. December 
3, 1789. William Gray, Jr., owner ; William Kil- 
ham, master. Reg. January i, 1791. Other owners. 
Schooner, 70 tons. Bradford, 1786. Reg. December 
3, 1789. William Gray, Jr., owner ; Thomas But- 
man, master. Reg. January 18, 179 1. Other owners. 
Schooner, 67 tons. Haverhill, 1786. Reg. Decem- 
ber 8, 1789. William Gray, Jr., owner; Seaward 
Lee, master. 

Schooner, 68 tons. Salem, 1786. Reg. December 10, 
1789. William Gray, Jr., owner; Hezekiah Wal- 
lace, master. Reg. July 5, 1790. Stephen Osborne, 
owner; James Snow, master. Reg. July 27, 1794. 
Zachariah Burchmore, Joshua Ward, John Foster, 
owners; John Foster, master. 

Schooner, 68 tons. Bradford, 1786. Reg. December 
II, 1789. William Gray, Jr., owner ; Samuel Oli- 
more, master. (Sold to Marblehead owners, July, 
1790.) 

Schooner, 69 tons. Lynn, 1786. Reg. December 11, 
1789. William Gray, Jr., owner ; Thomas Ashby, 
master. (Sold to Beverly owners, January, 1791.) 
Schooner, 91 tons. Kennebunk, 1784. Reg. De- 
cember 17, 1789. William Gray, Jr., owner; John 
T. Ropes, master. Reg. March 28, 1791. Samuel 
Blanchard, owner ; Samuel Blanchard, master. 
Ship, 154 tons. Amesbury, 1784. Reg. December 
19, 1789. William Gray, Jr., George Dodge, Clif- 
ford Crowninshield, owners; Clifford Crowninshield, 
master. 



1790 
SWALLOW. Schooner, Beverly, 73 tons. Lynn, 1776. Reg. Jan- 

uary 20, 1790. William Gray, Jr., John Lovett, 
Beverly, owners ; Benjamin Beckford, Jr., master. 

Ree. 



94 



Appendix 



MOLLY. 



IRIS. 



JOHN. 



LEOPARD. 



WILLIAM 
AND HENRY. 

NANCY. 



Reg. August 14, 1793. William Gray, owner; John 
Baker, master. (Sold to Machias owners, July, 
1794-) 

Schooner, 62 tons. Newburyport, 1778. Reg. Janu- 
ary 29, 1790. William Gray, Jr., owner; Joseph 
Baker, master. Reg. December 2, 1790. Other 
owners. 

Brigantine, 126 tons. Salisbury, 1790. Reg. March 2, 
1790. William Gray, Jr., owner; Benjamin Ives, 
master. (Sold to Beverly owners, November, 1 790.) 

Schooner, 73 tons. Haverhill, 1786. Reg. March 24, 
1790. William Gray, Jr., owner; Jeremiah Foster, 
master. Reg. March 7, 179 1. Nathan Leach, owner; 
John Prince, master. Reg. June 25, 1794. Robert 
Seldon, owner ; Robert Seldon, master. 

Brigantine, 156 tons. Dover, N. H.,' 1784. Reg. 
May 31, 1790. William Gray, Jr., owner ; Herbert 
Woodberry, master. Reg. December 5, 1797. Wil- 
liam Gray, owner ; Thomas Pickman, master. Reg. 
September 9, 1803. William Gray, Jr., owner; 
Samuel Barker, master. (Condemned as unfit for 
service.) 

Brigantine, 166 tons. Kingston, 1784. Reg. July 15, 
1790. William Gray, Jr., owner; Thomas West, 
master. 

Schooner, 89 tons. Newbury, 1783. Reg. Decem- 
ber 8, 1790. William Gray, Jr., owner; Zackeriah 
Stone, master. 



HIND, 



1791 
Brigantine, 165 tons. Falmouth, 1783. Rig altered 
to a snow April, 1793. Reg. January 6, 1791. 
William Gray, Jr., owner; John Beckford, master. 
Reg. April 17,1 793. William Gray, owner ; Thomas 
Putnam, master. 

BETSEY. 



Appendix 



95 



BETSEY. Schooner, 70 tons. Salisbury, 1784. Reg. March 24, 

1 79 1. William Gray, Jr., owner; Joseph Leach, 
master. Reg. September 27, 1791. James Odell, 
owner; James Odell, master, and various other 
registers. 

HOPE. Schooner, 68 tons. Hanover, 1789. Reg. October 

21, 1 79 1. John Lovett, 3d, Beverly, William Gray, 
Jr., owners; John Lovett, 3d, master. (Sold to Bev- 
erly owners, June, 179 1.) 

AURORA. Ship, 222 tons. Haverhill, 1791. Reg. December 

17, 1 79 1. William Gray, Jr., owner; Thomas Meek, 
master. 



SALEM. 



WILLIAM. 



ENTERPRISE. 



UNION. 



COMMERCE. 



1792 

Schooner, 88 tons. Tonnage changed to iii tons 
March, 1794, and rig altered to a brigantine. Salis- 
bury, 1792. Reg. May 26, 1792. William Gray, 
owner; Joseph Hosmer, master. (Isaac Rea and 
Josiah Orne were also masters.) 

Brigantine, 182 tons. Salem, 1784. July 21, 1792. 
William Gray, owner; Seaward Lee, master. (After 
a few years altered to a ship and broken up in Salem 
sometime after 1807. Benjamin Bickford and Wil- 
liam Mugford were also masters.) 
Brig, 164 tons. Haverhill, 1 792. Altered to a barque, 
October 20, 1794, and to a ship November 28, 1796. 
Reg. August 9, 1792. William Gray, owner; Wil- 
liam Ward, master. Reg. October 20,1794. Elias 
H. Derby, owner ; Thomas Chipman, master. 
Brigantine, Beverly, 140 tons. Salisbury, 1792. 
Reg. September 15, 1792. Nathaniel Lee, Beverly, 
William Gray, owners ; William Lee, master. 
Ship, 247 tons. Durham, N.H., 1790. Reg. No- 
vember 17, 1792. William Gray, owner; CUfFord 
Crowninshield, master. 

1793 



96 



Appendix 



LUCIA. 



ELIZA. 



ESSEX. 



1793 

Brigantine, 183 tons. Haverhill, 1792. Reg. Janu- 
ary 25, 1 793. William Gray, owner ; George Archer, 
master. 

Brigantine, 144 tons. Kingston, 1785. Reg. May 
6, 1793. William Gray, owner; Samuel Williams, 
master. Reg. May 24, 1794. Winthrop Gray, Bos- 
ton, Joseph Cabot, owners ; Joseph Hosmer, master. 
Reg. November 14, 1795. William Gray, owner; 
William Mugford, master. 

Schooner, 1 29 tons. Scarborough, 1782. Reg. May 24, 
1793. William Gray, owner; Seaward Lee, master. 



PHENIX. 



FRANCIS. 



ENTERPRISE. 



LYDIA. 



JOHN. 



1794 
Snow, 150 tons. Altered to a brigantine in October, 
1800. Amesbury, 1793. Reg. March 15, 1794. 
William Gray, owner ; Andrew Ober, master. Reg. 
April 23, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner ; Ward 
Chipman, master. (Ebenezer Ward was also master. 
Lost at sea.) 

Brigantine, 174 tons. Newbury, 1791. Reg. June 
18, 1794. William Gray, owner; John Wallace, 
master. (Daniel Hathorne was also master.) 
Brigantine, 176 tons. Kennebunk, 1788. Reg. June 
20, 1794. Daniel Hathorne, William Gray, owners; 
Daniel Hathorne, master. (Sold to Boston owners, 
January, 1795-) 

Brigantine, 152 tons. Salisbury, 1790. Reg. June 
26, 1794. William Gray, owner; Ebenezer Shilla- 
ber, master. Reg. May 12, 1804. William Gray, 
Jr., owner ; John Borden, master. 
Schooner, 11 1 tons. Falmouth, 1794. Reg. Decem- 
ber 4, 1794. William Gray, owner; William Black- 
ler, Jr., master. Reg. January 6, 1798. William Gray, 
William Blackler, owners ; William Russell, master. 

1795 



Appendix 



97 



DISPATCH. 



JOHN. 



VOLANT. 



BETSEY. 



LUCIA. 



INDUSTRY. 



WILLIAM 
AND HENRY. 

ACTIVE. 



ELIZABETH. 



1795 
Sloop, 70 tons. Kennebunk, 1794. Reg. January 
28, 1795. William Gray, owner; Joseph Hosmer, 
master. 

Ship, 175 tons. Salisbury, 1794. Reg. March 31, 
1795. William Gray, owner; Benjamin Dawson, 
master. 

Brig, 138 tons. Kennebunk, 1795. Reg. May 4, 
1795. William Gray, owner ; David Martin, mas- 
ter. 

Ship, 218 tons. Wells, 1795. Reg. June 18, 1795. 
William Gray, owner ; Philip Bessom, Jr., master. 
Reg. November 26, 1796. Samuel Gray, William 
Gray, Josiah Orne, Sylvanus Gray, Boston, owners; 
Josiah Orne, master. Reg. September 24, 1800. 
William Gray, owner ; John C. Blackler, master. 

Ship, 310 tons. Salisbury, 1795. Reg. October 26, 

1795. William Gray, owner; Thomas Meek, mas- 
ter. Reg. June 26, 1805. William Gray, Jr., owner ; 
Solomon Towne, master. 

Schooner, 59 tons. Amesbury, 1787. Reg. Decem- 
ber 9, 1795. William Gray, owner; William Rus- 
sell, master. (Joseph J. Knapp was also master.) 

1796 
Ship, 256 tons, Newbury, 1796. Reg. May 6, 1796. 
William Gray, owner ; John Beckford, master. 
(Foundered on the Grand Banks in 1800.) 

Schooner, 82 tons. Haverhill, 1786. Reg. May 16, 

1796. William Gray, owner; Jonathan H. Lovett, 
master. 

Ship, 333 tons. Danvers, 1796. Reg. September 
21, 1796. William Gray, owner; Daniel Sage, 
master. 

1797 



98 



Appendix 



NANCY. 



AMERICAN 
HERO. 



CONCORD. 



PATTY. 



FANNY. 



1797 

Brigantine, 157 tons. Newburyport, 1787. Reg. 
April 21, 1797. William Gray, owner; Jonathan 
Neall, master, Reg. October 2, 1804. William Gray, 
Jr., owner ; Freeborn Woodbury, master. (Con- 
demned as unfit for sea.) 

Ship, 251 tons. Kennebunk, 1796. Reg. May i, 
1797. William Gray, Tobias Low, owners ; Philip 
Benson, Jr., master. Reg. December 29, 1798. 
William Gray, owner; Joseph Lindsey, master. 
Reg. July II, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; 
Andrew Masters, master. (In French War carried 
II guns. Commissioned as a privateer in the War 
of 1812.) 

Ship, 171 tons. Salisbury, 1795. Reg. June 28, 
1797. William Gray, owner; no captain mentioned. 
Reg. October 18, 1799- Pickering Dodge and others, 
owners. 

Schooner, 70 tons. Newbury, 1789. Reg. Decem- 
ber 9, 1797. William Gray, owner; John Green, 
master. (Sold to Beverly owners in September, 
1800.) 

Ship, 150 tons. Freeport, 1796. Reg. December 19, 
1797. William Gray, owner; Timothy Wellman, 
master. (In French War carried 10 guns. Commis- 
sioned as a privateer in the War of 1 812. Water- 
color copy at Peabody Academy of Science.) 



1798 

MINERVA. Brigantine, 114 tons. Newburyport, 1795. Reg. 

January 24, 1798. William Gray, owner; William 
Mugford, master. 

FAME. Schooner, 62 tons. Ipswich, 1795. Reg. May 11, 

1798. William Gray, owner; Asa Batchelder, mas- 
ter. 



Ship Fanny^ Captain Kinsman 




t ■ 



1'^ I 



ULYSSES. 



RISING 
STATES. 



HERO. 



Appendix 



99 



ter. Reg. November 5, 1801. David Tucker, 
owner, etc. 

Ship, 340 tons. Haverhill, 1798. Reg. June 26, 
1798. William Gray, owner; Josiah Orne, master. 
John R. Dalling was also registered as master, Sep- 
tember 10, 1804. In 1804, this ship, while under 
command of William Mugford, had her rudder car- 
ried away in a gale. An ingeniously contrived tem- 
porary rudder was rigged, by which the ship was 
brought safely to Marseilles. Captain Mugford re- 
ceived a gold medal from the American Philosophical 
Society (see Society's Publications, vol. vi, p. 203) j and 
his device was widely commented on at the time (see 
Felt, Annals^ ii, 189) and described in Bowditch, 
Practical Navigator^ 3d ed., p. 266. There are at the 
Peabody Academy of Science three water-color paint- 
ings by Anton Roux, showing the vessel in the gale 
and with the temporary rudder ; also a hull model by 
Captain Mugford showing how the rudder was rigged j 
and also a small model of the rudder. 

Ship, 291 tons. Tonnage altered to 299 tons in 
1804. Falmouth, 1794. Reg. October 12, 1798. 
William Gray, owner ; Thomas Putnam, master. 
Reg. June 14, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; 
Benjamin Beckford, Jr., master. (Full-rigged model 
at the Peabody Academy of Science.) 

Galliot, 74 tons. Duxbury, 1794. Reg. October 31, 
1798. William Gray, Abial Burgess, owners; Abial 
Burgess, master. 



TRYALL. 



IRIS. 



1799 

Brigantine, 119 tons. Salem, 1790. Reg. March 8, 
1799. William Gray, owner; William Russell, 
master. (Sold to Kennebunk owners, July, 1801.) 
Ship, 227 tons. Kennebunk, 1797. Reg. June 19, 
1799. William Gray, owner; Enoch Swett, master. 

Reg. 



lOO 



Appendix 



Reg. November 20, 1805. Henry Gray, owner; 
John Conway, master. (Two water-color paintings 
are at the Peabody Academy of Science.) 



FOX. 



JOHN. 



LAUREL. 



PALLAS. 



ROBOREUS. 



1800 

Sloop, 52 tons. Westport, 1797. Reg. March 24, 
1800. William Gray, owner; Caleb Cook, mas- 
ter. 

Barque, 96 tons. Duxbury, 1792. Rig altered to a 
schooner, August, 1802. Reg. April 18, 1800. 
William Gray, Timothy Wellman, owners ; Samuel 
Stephens, master. Reg. December 11, 1800. Will- 
iam Gray, owner; Nathaniel Knight, master. Reg. 
May 13, 1 80 1. William Ward, owner; Nathaniel 
Knight, master. 

Ship, 425 tons. Danvers, 1800. Reg. June 30, 
1800. William Gray, owner; Daniel Sage, master. 
Reg. July 24, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; 
Ward Blackler, master. 

Ship, 331 tons. Durham, N. H., 1798. Reg. Au- 
gust 13, 1800. William Gray, owner; John R. 
Dalling, master. 

Schooner, 128 tons. Rig altered to a brig Novem- 
ber, 1804, and in October, 1805, again altered to a 
barque. Scarborough, 1800. Reg. November 22, 
1800. William Gray, owner; Abial Burgess, mas- 
ter. Reg. May i, 1802. Other owners. 



WELLS. 



1801 

Ship, 205 tons. Wells, 1801. Reg. June 6, 1801. 
William Gray, owner; Joseph Lindsey, master. 
Reg. March 3, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; 
Ezra Smith, master. Zachary G. Lamson was also 
master. (Captain Lamson's Autobiography has been 
published by Dr. O. T. Howe.) 

MINERVA. 



Ship Ulysses, William Mugford, Master 



Appendix 



lOI 



MINERVA. Brigantine, lOO tons. York, 1801. Reg. October 

27, 1 80 1. William Gray, owner; Archilaeus Rea, 
master. Reg. January 3, 1804. William Gray, Jr., 
owner; Nehemiah Roundy, master. 

ELIZABETH. Schooner, 80 tons. Salisbury, 1801. Reg. December 
6, 1801. William Gray, owner; Mark Woodbury, 
master. Reg. July 24, 1804. William Gray, Jr., 
owner; Mark Woodbury, master. (Sold in March, 
1809, to Beverly owners.) 



FREEDOM. 

MINERVA. 
TRENT. 



HORACE. 



JOHN. 



ROVER. 



1802 

Brigantine, 155 tons. Frankfort, 1802. Reg. March 
II, 1802. William Gray, Jr., owner ;Ebenezer Giles, 
master. (Sold at a foreign port in 1804.) 

Ship, 231 tons. Portland, 1800. Reg. April 26, 1802. 
William Gray, Jr., owner ; Thomas Beckford, master. 

Ship, 191 tons. Freeport, 1801. Reg. May 5, 1802. 
William Gray, Jr.,owner; Nathaniel Kinsman, master. 
Reg. May 13, 1807. William Ward, owner; Peter 
Lander, master. (Original water-color at the Essex 
Institute, and water-color copy at the Peabody Acad- 
emy of Science. The Trent was sold to Boston 
owners in October, 1809.) 

Ship 382 tons. Durham, N.H., 1800. Reg. July 17, 
1802. William Gray, Jr., owner; John Parker, mas- 
ter. (Water-color copy of sketch at the Peabody 
Academy of Science.) 

Schooner, 124 tons. Georgetown, 1797. Reg. Nov- 
ember 24, 1802. William Gray, Jr., owner; Joseph 
Lindsey, master. Reg. February 27, 1804. William 
R. Gray, Gideon Snow, Boston, owners ; Robert 
Harris, master. (Lost at sea.) 

Brigantine, 204 tons. Kennebunk, 1802, Reg. De- 
cember 23,1802. William Gray, Jr., owner; Walter 
P. JefFry, master. 

1803 



I02 



Appendix 



VENGEANCE. 



UNICORN. 



MENTOR. 



COMMERCE. 



ENTERPRISE. 



HARPER. 



POWDER 
POINT. 



1803 

Brigantine, 181 tons. Kennebunk, 1800. Reg. April 
2, 1803. William Gray, Jr., owner; Archilaeus Rea, 
master. 

Brigantine, 172 tons. Changed to a brig May 26, 
1804. Freeport, 1799. Reg. May 16, 1803. William 
Gray, Jr., owner ; Benjamin Babbidge, master. Reg. 
September 22, 1803. Other owners. 

Brigantine, 183 tons. Falmouth, 1801. Reg. June 
15, 1803. William Gray, Jr., owner; Elisha Whit- 
ney, master. (Lost at sea.) 

Brig, 167 tons. Kennebunk, 1795. Reg. July 12, 
1803. William Gray, Jr., owner; Edward Stanley, 
master. 

Brig, 182 tons. Kittery, 1800. Reg. September 26, 
1803. William Gray, Jr., owner; Elisha Wood- 
bury, master. 

Barque, 141 tons. Arundel, 1801. Reg. October 20, 
1 803. William Gray, Jr., owner ; Jonathan Corning, 
master. (Sold to Boston owners, November, 1809.) 

Schooner, 82 tons. Duxbury, 1798. Reg. December 
30, 1803. William Gray, Jr., owner; James Dow- 
ling, master. Reg. January 26, 1805. Other owners. 



1804 

FOX. Brigantine, 116 tons. Salisbury, 1795. Reg. May 

II, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; Freeborn 
Thorndike, master. 

ATTEMPT. Schooner, 105 tons. Union River, 1802. Reg. July 

21, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner ; Tobias Davis, 
master. (Condemned at Barbadoes, March, 1807.) 

WILLIAM. Brig, 178 tons. Pepperellboro, 1804. Reg. August 

9, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; Issachar Ober, 
master. 

THOMAS. 



Appendix 



103 



THOMAS. Schooner, 103 tons. Kennebunk, 1801. Reg. Sep- 

tember 21, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; 
Thomas Calley, master. Reg. July 15, 1806. Other 
owners. 

PACKET. Ship, 229 tons. Portland, 1803. Reg. November 

26, 1804. William Gray, Jr., owner; Benjamin 
Beckford, master. 

1806 

PACTOLUS. Ship, 288 tons. Salem, 1806. Reg. December 25, 

1806. William Gray, owner; John Beckford, master. 



1807 

LEOPARD. Barque, 207 tons. Danvers, 1807. Reg. October 

13, 1807. William Gray, owner; Samuel Barker, 
master. 

[Embargo, December 22, 1807, to March i, 1809.] 



ST. PETER. 



[N.B. 



1809 

Schooner, 67 tons. Amesbury, 1789. Reg. Decem- 
ber 6, 1809. Thomas Woodbury, Jr., Beverly, 
William Gray, Boston, owners ; James Haskell, mas- 
ter. 

William Gray moved to Boston in 1809.] 



1815 

GRAND TURK. Brigantine, 309 tons. Wiscasset, 181 2. Celebrated 
privateer in War of 181 2, carrying 18 guns and 
about 150 men. Was not registered permanently in 
Salem. A copy of her journal, however, was sworn 
to before the collector at Salem, and June 3, 1815, 
she took out a temporary document at Salem in which 
William Gray and Thomas Webb of Boston appear 
as owners. After the war she appears to have made 
merchant voyages for William Gray, of Boston. 

The 



I04 



Appendix 



The following are taken from the ship registers in the Boston Custom 
House, 1802-25, f°'' ^^^ ports of Boston and Charlestown.' 

1804 

HOWARD. Ship, 290 tons. Kittery, 1801. Reg. June 22, 1804. 

William Gray, Jr., Salem, owner ; Benjamin Bray, 
master. No. 280. 

BETSEY. Ship, 218 tons. Wells, 1795. Reg. June 22, 1804. 

William Gray, Jr., Salem, owner; Thomas Calley, 
master. No. 281. 

ATTEMPT. Schooner, 105 tons. Union River, 1802. Reg. June 

30, 1804. William Gray, Jr., Salem, owner; To- 
bias Davis, master. No. 296. 

1805 

HORACE. Ship, 382 tons. Durham, N. H., 1800. Reg, Janu- 

ary I, 1805. William R. Gray, Boston, as agent to 
William Gray, Jr., of Salem ; John Parker, master. 
No. I. Reg. March 29, 181 1. William Gray, 
owner ; Thomas Leach, master. No. 84. 

PALLAS. Ship, 331 tons. Durham, N. H., 1798. Reg. June 

5, 1805. William R. Gray, Boston, as agent to 
William Gray, Jr., of Salem; John Edwards, master. 
No. 166. (Lost in the Baltic.) 

1806 

CATHERINE. Ship, 281 tons. Haverhill, 1799. Reg. July 14, 
1806. William R. Gray, Boston, as agent to Will- 
iam Gray, Jr., of Salem; Thomas Beckford, master. 
No. 165. Reg. May 23, 1809. William Gray, 
owner; Thomas Beckford, master. No. 140. Reg. 
April 18, 1 81 2. William Gray, owner; Philip Bes- 
som, master. No. no. 

[Embargo December 22, 1807, to March i, 1809.] 

» A few of these vessels are the same as those registered in Salem. The numbers 
indicate the registry number in the Boston Custom House for the year of registry. 

1809 



Appendix 



loS 



PHENIX. 



1809 

Brig, 208 tons. Saco, 1807. Reg. September 12, 
1809. William Gray, owner j Simeon Haskell, mas- 
ter. No. 302. 



1810 

PALAFOX. Brig, 181 tons. Bath, 1807. Reg. January 6, 18 10. 

William Gray, owner; William Welch, master. 

No. 7. 

WILLIAM. Brigj 162 tons. Kennebunk, 1806. Reg. January 

10, 1 8 10. William Gray, owner; Thomas Wood- 
bury, Jr., master. No. 12. 

INDUSTRY. Schooner, 62 tons. Danvers, 1787. Reg. May 23, 

1 8 10. William Gray, owner; John H. Harris, mas- 
ter. No. 181. 

LUCIA. Ship, 310 tons. Salisbury, 1795. Reg. June 13, 

1 8 10. William Gray, owner; Samuel Haskell, mas- 
ter. No. 221. Reg. May 24, 181 1. William Gray, 
owner; Samuel Haskell, master. No. 148. 

AURORA. Ship, 222 tons. Haverhill, 1791. Reg. November 

7, 1 8 10. William Gray, owner; Andrew Masters, 
master. No. 408. (After 18 14 sold to the United 
States, and used as a prison ship at Salem.) 

HANNAH. Ship, 144 tons. Scituate, 1800. Reg. December 15, 

1810. William Gray, owner; Joseph Mudge, mas- 
ter. No. 472. (Condemned at Gibraltar under 
Orders in Council.) 



1811 

FREDERICK. Brig, 153 tons. Hanover, 1801. Reg. April 8, 1811. 
William Gray, owner; John Cavendish, master. 
No. 104. Reg. July 28, 18 15. William Gray, 
owner; John H. Harris, master. No. 330. 

ST. PETER. 



io6 



Appendix 



ST. PETER. 



NANCY. 



WILLIAM. 



RECOVERY. 



JOHN. 



RACHEL. 



PALAFOX. 



FEDERAL 
JACK. 

PORCUPINE. 



Schooner, 67 tons. Amesbury, 1789. Reg. May 28, 
181 1. William Gray, owner; James Haskell, mas- 
ter. No. 152. 

Schooner, 117 tons. Pasquotank River, N. C, 1807. 
Reg. September 9, 181 1. William Gray, owner; 
John H. Harris, master. No. 235. 

Brig, 178 tons. Pepperellboro, 1804. Reg. Decem- 
ber 4, 181 1. William Gray, owner; Larkin Turner, 
master. No. 327. 

Ship, 284 tons. Salem, 1794. Reg. December 5, 
i8ii. William Gray, owner; Joseph H. Gage, 
master. No. 329. Reg. March 15, 18 16. William 
Gray, owner ; Francis Blackler, master. No. 74. 

Brig, 2 1 2 tons. Falmouth, 18 11. Reg. December 16, 

181 1. William Gray, owner; Simeon O. Beckford, 
master. No. 350. (Captured by the British in 1 8 1 2.) 

1812 

Schooner, 71 tons. Newbury, 1769. Reg. January 
14, 1812. William Gray, owner; Thomas Wood- 
bury, Jr., master. No. 17. 

Brig, 226 tons. Bath, 1807. Reg. January 18, 

181 2. William Gray, owner; Benjamin Hitchings, 
master. No. 21. 

Schooner, 85 tons. Cape Porpoise. Reg. February 
10, 1812. William Gray, owner; David Adams, 
master. No. 39. 

Brig, 330 tons. Charlestown, 18 12. Reg, Decem- 
ber 19, 1812. William Gray, owner; Thomas Beck- 
ford, master. No. 253. 



1813 

SPITFIRE. Brig, 269 tons. Portland, 181 1. Reg. January 21, 

18 1 3. William Gray, owner; Francis A. Burnham, 
master. No. 13. (Captured by the British, 18 14.) 

POLLY. 



Letter of Marque^ Brig Grand Turk^ of l^ guns^ 
William Austin^ Commander 



"Win 



*r^ 




>^ 



91 si 



Appendix 



107 



POLLY. 



ESSEX. 



BRUTUS. 



Schooner, 114 tons. Marshfield, 1800. Reg. Janu- 
ary 22, 1 813. William Gray, owner; John Warner, 
master. No. 15. 

Brig, 293 tons. Newbury, 18 12. Reg. March 3, 
18 13. William Gray, owner; William F. Wyer, 
master. No. 27. (Captured by the British.) 

1814 

Schooner, 231 tons. Dorchester Co., Md., 18 12. 
Reg. September 27, 18 14. William Gray and James 

D'Wolf, Bristol, R. L, owners; , master. 

N0.46. Reg. May 13, 181 5. William Gray, owner; 
Edward Tayer, master. No. 201. 

1815 

Schooner, 104 tons. Manchester, 18 14. Reg. 
March 28, 1815. William Gray, John Lee, and 
Thomas Leach, owners; John Lee, master. No. 106. 

Brig, 207 tons. Kennebunk, 18 14. Reg. May 15, 
1 81 5. William Gray, owner; Joseph Mudge, mas- 
ter. No. 202. 

Ship, 619 tons. Charlestown, 18 15. Reg. May 26, 
1815. William Gray, owner; Nehemiah W. Skill- 
ings, master. No. 218. 

GRAND TURK. Brig, 309 tons. Wiscasset, 1812. Reg. June 8, 
181 5. William Gray, owner; William Austin, mas- 
ter. No. 243. 

Brig, 112 tons. Captured in War by Citizens of the 
United States and lawfully condemned as prize. 
Reg. June 10, 181 5. William Gray, owner; Philip 
Bessom, master. No. 248. 

Brig, 223 tons. Captured in War by Citizens of the 
United States and lawfully condemned as prize. 
Reg. June 15, 18 15. William Gray, owner; Elliott 
Woodberry, master. No. 260. 

RUBICON. 



CHANCE. 



LUDLOW. 



UNION. 



LEGAL 
TENDER. 



PATRIOT. 



io8 



Appendix 



RUBICON. 



LAUREL. 



ROMP. 



CLARISSA. 



PACTOLUS. 



LEOPARD. 



SACO. 



BEE. 



ELIZABETH. 



Ship, 407 tons. Kennebunk, 1810. Reg. June 20, 
1815. William Gray, owner; Samuel Haskell, mas- 
ter. No. 271. 

Ship, 425 tons. Danvers, 1800. Reg. July 3, 18 15. 
William Gray, owner; Francis A. Burnham, mas- 
ter. No. 295. 

Brig, 161 tons. Vassalborough, 1812. Reg. July 27, 
18 15. William Gray, owner; Tobias Davis, master. 
No. 329. 

Ship, 321 tons. Captured in War by Citizens of the 
United States and lawfully condemned as prize. 
Reg. September 30, 18 15. William Gray and 
Thomas Oxnard, of Portland, owners ; Thomas 
Oxnard, master. No. 414. Reg. March 18, 181 7. 
William Gray, owner ; Henry King, master. No. 34. 

Ship, 288 tons. Salem, 1806. Reg. October 14, 
1815. William Gray, owner; Thomas Leach, mas- 
ter. No. 425. 

Barque, 207 tons. Danvers, 1807. Reg. October 
24, 18 1 5. William Gray, owner; Andrew Masters, 
master. No. 439. 

Ship, 528 tons. Saco, 1815. Reg. November 4, 
1815. William Gray, owner; Nathaniel Haskell, 
Jr., master. No. 452. Reg. July 10, 1 816. William 
Gray, owner; Nathaniel Haskell, Jr., master. No. 
172. 

Schooner, 82 tons. Kennebunk, 1812. Reg. No- 
vember II, 1815. William Gray, owner; William 
Peach, master. No. 461. Reg. Dec. 11, 1816. 
William Gray, owner ; John Borden, master. No. 
295. Reg. January 15, 181 8. William Gray, 
owner ; Daniel Wise, Jr., master. No. 9. 

Ship, 352 tons. Bangor, 18 15. Reg. December 2, 
1815. William Gray, owner ; Philip Bessom, master. 
No. 493. 

LAWRENCE. 



Appendix 



109 



LAWRENCE. Brig, 181 tons. Kennebunk, 18 14. Reg. December 
13, 1 815. William Gray, owner; John H. Harris, 
master. No. 503. 

1816 

FAWN. Ship, 436 tons. Charlestown, 1812. Reg. January 

4, 1 816. William Gray, owner; William Austin, 

master. No. 6. 
CONCORD. Brig, 230 tons. Kennebunk, 1806. Reg. March 15, 

18 1 6. William Gray, owner; Henry King, master. 

No. 75. 
HOPE. Brig, 153 tons. Kennebunk, 181 2. Reg. March 25, 

18 16. William Gray, owner; Thomas Woodberry, 

master. No. 83. (Vessel built upon and tonnage 

altered to 200 tons.) Reg. September 26, 1816. 

William Gray, owner ; Neil C. Bang, master. No. 

221. Reg. June 2, 1819. William Gray, owner; 

Thomas Leach, master. No. 135. 

ROVER. Brig, 204 tons. Kennebunk, 1802. Reg. April 8, 

18 16. William Gray, owner; Neil C. Bang, mas- 
ter. No. 98. 

HANNIBAL. Ship, 272 tons. Salisbury, 18 10. Reg. April 22, 

1 8 16. William Gray, owner; Abiel Burgess, mas- 
ter. No. 120. 

SWIFT. Brig, 161 tons. Amesbury, 1805. Reg. May 17, 

1 8 16. William Gray, owner; Nathan Story, mas- 
ter. No. 137. 

RUTHY. Brig, 148 tons. Salem, 1790. Reg. September 2, 

1 816. William Gray, owner; Henry Blackler, mas- 
ter. No. 203. 

1817 

CHANCE. Brig, 235 tons. Saco, 1816. Reg. April 2, 1817. 

William Gray, owner; Francis Blackler, master. 
No. 56. 

RAMBLER. 



no 



RAMBLER. 



Appendix 



Brig, 147 tons. Kennebunk, 18 16. Reg. August 6, 

18 1 7. William Gray, owner j David Crafts, master. 

No. 167. 

1818 
ACASTUS. Ship, 343 tons. Pembroke, 181 1. Reg. February 7, 

1818. William Gray, owner; Francis A. Burnham, 
master. No. 30. 

AMERICA. Brig, 157 tons. Newbury, 1801. Reg. April 7, 1818. 

William Gray, owner; Amos Hill, master. No. 52. 

COLUMBUS. Ship, 395 tons. Plymouth, 1810. Reg. October 
21, 18 1 8. William Gray, owner; Rufus Robbins, 
master. No. 250. 

WASHINGTON. Brig, 166 tons. Salisbury, 1804. Reg. October 28, 

1818. William Gray, owner; Samuel R. Gray, 
master. No. 265. 

CLAY. Ship, 299 tons. Hanover, 18 18. Reg. December 

30, 1818. William Gray, owner; Benjamin Hitch- 
ings, master. No. 350. 

1819 

AURELIA. Barque, 264 tons. Hingham, 181 1. Reg. February 

27, 1819. William Gray, owner; Issachar O. Fos- 
ter, master. No. 44. 

FAME. Schooner, 77 tons. Freetown, 181 2. Reg. June 29, 

1 8 19. William Gray, owner; Edward L. Coffin, 
master. No. 157. 

JOSEPH. Brig, 161 tons. Newcastle, 1807. Reg. December 

7, 1 8 19. William Gray, owner; John Boden, mas- 
ter. No. 282. 



1820 

ELIZABETH. Schooner, 80 tons. Salisbury, 1801. Reg. January 
7, 1820. William Gray, owner; Simeon Haskell, 
master. No. 7. 

LIBERTY. 



Appendix 



III 



LIBERTY. 



ULTIMA. 



ADVANCE. 



TRAVELLER. 



DIAMOND. 



MAINE. 



SEAMAN. 



BLAKELY. 



MERMAID. 



PATRICK 
HENRY. 



ESSEX. 



Schooner, 86 tons. Amesbury, 1804. Reg. January 
20, 1820. William Gray, owner; Michael Power, 
master. No. 15. 

Brig, 168 tons. Newbury, 18 16. Reg. April 5, 
1820. William Gray, owner; Wads worth Loring, 
master. No. 77. 

Brig, 193 tons. Kennebunk, 1807. Reg. April 25, 
1820. William Gray, owner; John Boden, master. 
No. 89. 

Brig, 150 tons. Eden, 1815. Reg. May 29, 1820. 
William Gray, owner; Joshua Orne, master. No. 

107. 

Ship, 341 tons. Haverhill, 1819. Reg. June 20, 
1820. William Gray, owner; Daniel Bickford, mas- 
ter. No. 122. 

Ship, 294 tons. Kennebunk, 1819. Reg. June 20, 
1820. William Gray, owner; Thomas Leach, mas- 
ter. No. 123. 

Brig, 181 tons. Catskill, N. Y., 18 10. Reg. August 
II, 1820. William Gray, owner; Thomas Jones, 
master. No. 156. 

B"g, 233 tons. Salem, 18 16. Reg. August 17, 
1820. William Gray, owner; John Burrill, master. 
No. 161. 

Schooner, 109 tons. Duxbury, 1805. Reg. Septem- 
ber 18, 1820. William Gray, owner; Anthony 
Gage, master. No. 173. 

Brig, 179 tons. Newcastle, 1820. Reg. October 21, 
1820. William Gray, owner; David Crafts, master. 
No. 192. 

1821 
Brig, 200 tons. Amesbury, 1820. Reg. September 
29, 1 82 1. William Gray, owner; Daniel Wise, Jr., 
master. No. 192. 

1822 



112 



Appendix 



VICTORY. 



FOUR 

SISTERS. 

ALERT. 



ULTIMA. 



DISPATCH. 



CORINNA. 



TRAVELLER. 



PLANT. 



ALBION. 



1822 

Schooner, 151 tons. Saybrook, Conn., 181 8. Reg. 
June 19, 1822. William Gray, owner; Joseph 
Crow, master. No. 133. 

Brig, 114 tons. Newburyport, 18 16. Reg. June 26, 
1822. William Gray, owner; Nathaniel Lindsey, 
master. No. 139. 

Schooner, 118 tons. Killingworth, Conn., 18 16. 
Reg. August 12, 1822. William Gray, owner; 
Joshua Orne, master. No. 184. 

Brig, 168 tons. Newbury, 18 16. Reg. September 
24, 1822. William Gray, owner; Thomas Williams, 
master. No. 217. 

Brig, 198 tons. Charlestown, 1800. Reg. September 
24, 1822. William Gray and Richard Urann, owners; 

, master. No. 218. Reg. October 25, 1822. 

William Gray,owner; Davis Burgess, master. No. 256. 

Brig, 121 tons. Haverhill, 18 15. Reg. October 4, 
1822. William Gray, owner; John S. Seaver, mas- 
ter. No. 227. 

Brig, 208 tons. Eden, Me., 181 5. Reg. November 
26, 1822. (Vessel built upon.) William Gray, 
owner; Joseph Cross, master. No. 300. 

Brig, 208 tons. Amesbury, 1818. Reg. December 
10, 1822. William Gray, owner; Philip Bessom, 
master. No. 312. 

Ship, 320 tons. Haverhill, 181 5. Reg. December 
10, 1822, William Gray, owner; George Lee, mas- 
ter. No. 313. 



1823 



BLAKELY. Barque, 233 tons. Salem, 181 6. Reg. January 23, 

1823. Vessel altered from a brig. William Gray, 
owner ; John Burrell, master. No. 4. 

VICTORY. 



Appendix 



"3 



VICTORY. 



COMMERCE. 



POTOMAC. 



PACKET. 



JAMES. 



HENRICO. 



LEOPARD. 



CHARLES 
AND ELLEN. 

THOMAS. 



AUGUSTUS. 



HUNTER. 



Brig, 151 tons. Saybrook, Conn., 1818. Reg. Jan- 
uary 28, 1823. Vessel altered from a schooner. 
William Gray, owner ; Oliver Keating, master. No. 
22. 

Schooner, 65 tons. Harpswell, Me., 181 6. Reg. 
March 5, 1823. William Gray, owner; Timothy 
Goodwin, master. No. 39. 

Schooner, 157 tons. Bath, Me., 18 10. Reg. April 
7, 1823. William Gray, owner; Robert Hall, mas- 
ter. No. 66. 

Schooner, 148 tons. Yarmouth, 1 8 1 1 . Reg. April 
9, 1823. William Gray, owner; Benjamin Russell, 
master. No. 68. 

Schooner, 74 tons. Haverhill, 1798. Reg. April 9, 
1823. William Gray, owner; Eleazar Graves, mas- 
ter. No. 69. 

Brig, 224 tons. Barnstable, 181 1. Reg. May i, 
1823. William Gray, owner; Joshua Orne, master. 
No. 92. 

Barque, 207 tons. Danvers, 1807. Reg. May 12, 
1823. William Gray, owner; David Crafts, master. 
No. 102. 

Brig, 182 tons. Castine, Me., 1816. Reg. May 22, 
1823. William Gray, owner; Samuel R. Gerry, 
master. No. 114. 

Brig, 174 tons. Duxbury, 1805. Reg. May 23, 
1823. William Gray, owner; Amos Hill, master. 
No. 117. 

Brig, 143 tons. Kennebunk, 1820. Reg. June 17, 
1823. William Gray, owner; Joseph Wise, master. 
No. 148. 

Schooner, 98 tons. Haverhill, 1815. Reg. June 17, 
1823. William Gray, owner; Richard Evans, mas- 
ter. No. 149. 

HAYTI. 



114 



Appendix 



HAYTI. 



ESSEX. 



HOPE. 



Schooner, 74 tons. Kingston, 1823. Reg. June 25, 
1823. William Gray, owner ; William H. Savage, 
master. No, 157. 

Barque, 200 tons. Amesbury, 1820. Reg. August 
8, 1823. Vessel altered to a barque. William Gray, 
owner; Daniel Wise, Jr., master. No. 180. 

Brig, 186 tons. Kennebunk, 1823. Reg. October 21, 
1823. William Gray, owner j George W. Mans- 
field, master. No. 239. 



1824 

CONGRESS. Ship, 339 tons. Rochester, 1823. Reg. May 3, 

1824. William Gray, owner; Nathaniel Kinsman, 
master. No. 76. 



HOPE. 



1825 

Schooner, 125 tons. Brunswick, Me., 1825. Reg. 
July 25, 1825. William Gray, owner; Edmund 
Snow, Jr., master. No. 140. 



Vessels Mentioned in the one Letter-Book of 

William Gray, not in the Salem or 

Boston Registers 



OLIVE BRANCH 
LOUISIANA {Schooner) 



SEWALL {Brig) 
BIRD {Schooner) 
VENUS {Brig) 
CARAVAN {Brig) 



AUGUSTA 
ONTARIO {Ship) 
COMET {Brig) 
RADIUS {Brig) 



1809 



Captain Daniel Nason. 
Captain Timothy Newhall. 



1810 



Captain Swett. 
Captain John D. Dennis. 
Captain Michel Bowden. 
Captain Gilchrist. 



1811 



Captain Curtis. 
Captain Hector Coffin. 
Captain Philip Besome. 
Captain Benjamin Lander. 



INDEX 



INDEX 



Acastus, ship, iio. 

Active, schooner, 67 tons, 93. 

Active, schooner, 82 tons, 97. 

Adams, David, 106. 

Adams, John, quoted, 25. 

Adams, John Quincy, letter to G., 68; 

letters from G., 52, 55, 66, 73. 
Advance, brig, iii. 
Albion, ship, 112. 
Alert, schooner, 112. 
America, brig, 1 10. 
American Hero, ship, 98. 
Appleton, John, 10. 
Archer, George, 96. 
Ashby, Thomas, 93. 
Ashton, Jacob, 24. 
Attempt, schooner, 102, 104. 
Augusta, 115. 
Augustus, brig, 113. 
Aurelia, barque, no. 
Aurora, ship, 27, 95, 105. 
Austin, William, 107, 109. 

Babbidge, Benjamin, 102. 

Bainbridge & Brown, letters from G., 

52, 59. 69. 
Baker, John, 94. 
Baker, Joseph, 94. 
Bang, Neil C, 109. 
Barker, Samuel, 55, 94, 103. 
Barr, John, 90. 
Batchdder, Asa, 98. 
Beckford, Benjamin, 95, 103. 
Beckford, Benjamin, Jr., 28, 93, 99. 
Beckford, Daniel, in. 
Beckford, John, 27, 53, 94, 97, 103. 
Beckford, Simeon O., 106. 
Beckford, Thomas, loi, 104, 106. 
Bee, schooner, 68 tons, 93. 
Bee, schooner, 82 tons, 108. 
Benson, Philip, Jr., 98. 
Bessom, Philip, 104, 107, 108, 112, 

Bessom, Philip, Jr., 97. 



Betsey, schooner, 95. 

Betsey, ship, 97, 104. 

Bickford. See Beckford. 

Bird, schooner, 115. 

Blackler, Francis, 106, 109. 

Blackler, Henry, 109, 

Blackler, John C, 97. 

Blackler, Ward, 100. 

Blackler, William, Jr., 96. 

Blakely, barque, 112. 

Blakely, brig, ill. 

Boardman, Francis, 90, 91. 

Boden, John, no, in. 

Borden, John, 96, 108. 

Bowden, Michel, 115. 

Bowditch, Nathaniel, 38. 

Boyer, Daniel, 91. 

Bray, Benjamin, 104. 

Bridge, Matthew, 76. 

Brutus, schooner, 107. 

Burgess, Abial, 99, lOO, 109. 

Burgess, Davis, 112. 

Burnham, Francis A., 106, 108, no. 

Burrill, John, in, 112. 

Butman, Thomas, 93. 

Cabot, Francis, il. 

Galley, Francis, 3. 

Galley, Thomas, 103, 104. 

Caravan, brig, 54, 115. 

Cartwright, John, 90. 

Catherine, ship, 104. 

Cavendish, John, 105. 

Ceres, brig, 27. 

Ceres, brigantine, 92. 

Ceres, ship, 93. 

Chance, brig, 109. 

Chance, schooner, 107. 

Charles and Ellen, brig, 113. 

Chipman, Elizabeth Brown (Mrs. 

John), 8. 
Chipman, Hon. John, 8. 
Chipman, John, 90. 
Chipman, Ward, 9. 



I20 



Index 



Chipman, Capt. Ward, 96. 

Clarissa, ship, 108. 

Clay, ship, no. 

Cleveland, William, 38. 

Coffin, Edward L., no. 

Coffin, Hector, 115. 

Cogswell, Joseph G., letter from G., 

57- 

Columbus, ship, no. 
Comet, brig, 115. 
Commerce, brig, 102. 
Commerce, schooner, 1 13. 
Commerce, ship, 95. 
Concord, brig, 109. 
Concord, ship, 98. 
Congress, ship, 114. 
Constitution, frigate, 71. 
Cook, Caleb, 100. 
Corinna, brig, 112. 
Corning, Jonathan, I02. 
Crafts, David, no, in, 113. 
Cross, Joseph, 112. 
Crow, Joseph, 112. 
Crowninshield, Clifford, 93, 95. 
Crowninshield, Capt. G., 46. 
Curtis, Capt., 115. 

Bailing, John R., 99, 100; letter from 

G.,34. 
Davis, Tobias, 102, 104, 108. 
Davison, Benjamin, 15. 
Dawson, Benjamin, 97. 
Defence, letter of marque, 89, 90. 
Dennis, John D., 115. 
Derby, Ellas Hasket, 23. 
Derby, John, 6. 
Derby, Richard, 4, 6. 
Derby, Samuel, 92. 
Dexter, Samuel, 75. 
Diamond, ship, in. 
Dispatch, brig, 112. 
Dispatch, sloop, 97. 
Dodge, George, 93. 
Dowling, James, 102. 
Dunn, James, 36. 
Durham, Benjamin, 90. 
D'Wolf, James, 107. 

Edwards, John, 104. 
Eliza, brigantine, 96. 



Elizabeth, schooner, loi, no. 
Elizabeth, ship, 333 tons, 26, 97. 
Elizabeth, ship, 352 tons, 108. 
Embargo of 1808, 41. 
Enterprise, brig, 164 tons, 13, 27, 28, 

95- 
Enterprise, brig, 182 tons, 102. 
Enterprise, brigantine, 96. 
Essex, barque, 114. 
Essex, brig, 200 tons, in. 
Essex, brig, 293 tons, 107. 
Essex, frigate, 24. 
Essex, schooner, 98 tons, 92. 
Essex, schooner, 129 tons, 96. 
Essex, ship, 28. 
Essex Bank, 12. 
Essex Bridge, 25. 

Essex Fire and Marine Ins. Co., 25. 
Evans, Richard, 113. 

Fame, schooner, 62 tons, 98. 
Fame, schooner, 77 tons, no. 
Fanny, brigantine, 92. 
Fanny, ship, 98. 
Farley, Joseph S., 56. 
Fawn, ship, 109. 
Federal Jack, schooner, 106. 
Folger, Benjamin, 91. 
Foster, Issachar O., no. 
Foster, Jeremiah, 94. 
Four Sisters, brig, 112. 
Fox, brigantine, 102. 
Fox, sloop, 100. 
Francis, brig, 28. 
Francis, brigantine, 96. 
Frederick, brig, 105. 
Freedom, brigantine, 1 01. 
Freedom, schooner, 93. 

Gage, Anthony, in. 

Gage, Joseph H., 106. 

Gallop, William, letter from G., 51. 

Gardner, Samuel, 4. 

Gardner, Weld, 92. 

Gerry, Elbridge, 65, 67. 

Gerry, Samuel R., 113. 

Gilchrist, Capt., 54, 115. 

Giles, Ebenezer, loi. 

Goodhue, Benjamin, 10. 

Goodwin, Timothy, 113. 



Index 



121 



Gorham, Benjamin, 82. 

Grand Turk, brig, 103, 107. 

Graves, Eleazer, 113. 

Gray, Abraham, 3. 

Gray, Abraham, Jr., 89, 90. 

Gray, Elizabeth Chipman (Mrs. W. 
G.), 8, 9, 12, 80. 

Gray, Francis Galley (brother of G.), 
4, 92. 

Gray, Francis Galley (son of G.), 66. 

Gray, Henry, ICX). 

Gray, Horace, 85. 

Gray, John Chipman, letter from G., 
76. 

Gray, Lucia, 32. 

Gray, Lydia Galley (Mrs. A. G.), 3. 

Gray, Samuel, 4, 26, 89, 90, 91, 92, 97. 

Gray, Samuel R., no. 

Gray, Sylvanus, 17, 97. 

Gray, William, of Lynn, 3. 

Gray, William, of Salem, birth, 3 ; fam- 
ily move to Salem, 4; apprenticed, 4; 
called William Gray, Tertius, 4; ap- 
pearance, 5; marches to Lexington, 
5; contributes £10 to Quero, 6; sec- 
ond lieutenant, 6; letters of marque, 
7; marriage, 8; selectman, 10; repre- 
sentative to General Court, 10; be- 
comes William Gray, Jr., 10; delegate 
to Constitutional Convention, Fed- 
eral, 11; defeated for State Senator, 
12; president of Essex Bk., 12; list of 
children, 19, note; joins "Old Fire 
Club," 22; Fire Ward, 23; subscribes 
to building the Essex, 24; director of 
Essex Bridge, 25; shipping, 26; new 
house, 30; number of ships, 1806, 
38; defeated for Representative to 
General Court, 38; on Federalist 
Committee of Correspondence, 39; 
becomes William Gray, 39; elected 
State Senator, 39, 41 ; position during 
Embargo, 41-48; Prefect of Salem 
section, 47; Moderator town meeting, 
48; moves to Boston, 1809, 48; num- 
ber of ships, 1809, 48; assessment and 
taxes in Salem, 49; commerce, 50-64; 
price paid for ships, 62; wages paid, 
63; joins Republican party, 65; 
elected lieutenant-governor, 65, dy. 



declines renomination, 70; subscribes 
to war loan, 70, 72; number of ships, 
181 1, 73 ; chosen vice-president Mass. 
General Hospital, 74; defeated for 
presidential elector, 74; defeated for 
lieutenant-governor, 75; number of 
seamen employed, 75; declines nom- 
ination for lieutenant-governor, 79; 
for governor, 79; elected president 
of Boston Branch U. S. Bk., 79; de- 
feated for State Senator, 81; presi- 
dential elector, 82; delegate to Mass. 
Constitutional Convention, 82; State 
Senator, 82; defeated for State Sena- 
tor, 82; president Mass. electoral 
college, 83; presides at dinner in 
Faneuil Hall, 83; death, 83; assess- 
ment and taxes in Boston, 83 ; French 
claims, 84; list of letters of marque, 
89; of ships, 92. 

Gray, William Rufus, 9, 33, lOi, 104. 

Gray, Winthrop (Jr.), 96. 

Green, John, 98. 

Greenwood, Miles, 6. 

Groves, William, 63. 

Hall, Robert, 113. 
Hannah, ship, 105. 
Hannibal, ship, 109. 
Harper, barque, 102. 
Harris, John H., 105, 106, 109. 
Haskell, James, 103, 106. 
Haskell, Nathaniel, Jr., 108. 
Haskell, Samuel, 105, 108. 
Haskell, Simeon, 105, no. 
Hathorne, Capt., 28. 
Hathorne, Daniel, 96. 
Hathorne, John, 11, 38. 
Hawk, schooner, 93. 
Hayti, schooner, 114. 
Heard, John, 39. 
Hector, letter of marque, 90. 
Hedge, B., Jr., 76. 
Henrico, brig, 113. 
Hero, galliot, 99. 
Hill, Amos, no, 113. 
Hind, brig, 27. 
Hind, brigantine, 94. 
Hind, letter of marque, 90. 
Hitchings, Benjamin, 106, no. 



122 



Index 



Hodges, Benjamin, 24, 26. 
Holland, John, 75. 
Hooper, Nathaniel, 76. 
Hope, brig, 153 tons, 109. 
Hope, brig, 186 tons, 114. 
Hope, schooner, 68 tons, 95. 
Hope, schooner, 125 tons, 114. 
Horace, ship, 27, 63, loi, 104. 
Hosmer, Joseph, 95, 97. 
Howard, ship, 104. 
Hunter, schooner, 113. 
Hussey, Joseph, 91. 
Hynde, letter of marque, 90. 

Industry, schooner, 59 tons, 97. 

Industry, schooner, 62 tons, 105. 

Iris, brigantine, 94. 

Iris, letter of marque, 91. 

Iris, ship, 99. 

Ives, Benjamin, 92, 94. 

James, schooner, 113. 
JeflFry, Walter P., loi. 
John, barque, lOO. 
John, brig, 106. 
John, schooner, 73 tons, 94. 
John, schooner, 11 1 tons, 96. 
John, schooner, 124 tons, loi. 
John, ship, 20, 97. 
Jones, Thomas, ill. 
Joseph, brig, no. 

Keating, Oliver, 113. 
Kilham, William, 93. 
King, Henry, 108, 109. 
Kinsman, Nathaniel, loi, 114. 
Knapp, Joseph J., 97. 
Knight, Nathaniel, 100. 

Lamson, Zachary G., 100. 

Lander, Benjamin, 58, 115. 

Laurel, ship, 27, 100, 108. 

Lawrence, brig, 109. 

Leach, Joseph, 95. 

Leach, Thomas, 63, 104, 107, 108, 

III. 
Lee, George, II2. 
Lee, John, 107. 
Lee, Nathaniel, 95. 
Lee, Seaward, 93, 95, 96. 



109, 



Lee, William, 95. 

Legal Tender, brig, 107. 

Leopard, barque, 55, 103, 108, II3. 

Leopard, brigantine, 94. 

Liberty, schooner, in. 

Lindsey, Joseph, 98, 100, loi. 

Lindsey, Nathaniel, II2. 

Little, Otis, 76. 

Loring, Caleb, 75. 

Loring, Wadsworth, ill. 

Louisiana, schooner, 54, 115. 

Lovett, John, 93. 

Lovett, John, 3d, 95. 

Lovett, Jonathan H., 97. 

Low, Tobias, 98. 

Lucia, brigantine, 96. 

Lucia, ship, 27, 28, 97, 105. 

Ludlow, brig, 107. 

Lydia, brig, 27. 

Lydia, brigantine, 96. 

Lyman, Theodore, 75. 

Maine, ship, in. 

Manning, Richard, 11. 

Mansfield, George W., 114. 

Martin, David, 97. 

Masters, Andrew, 98, 105, 108. 

Meek, Thomas, 27, 28, 95, 97. 

Mentor, brigantine, 102. 

Mermaid, schooner, in. 

Minerva, brig, 28. 

Minerva, brigantine, 100 tons, loi. 

Minerva, brigantine, 114 tons, 98. 

Minerva, ship, loi. 

Molly, schooner, 94. 

Monroe, James, 80. 

Moody, Joseph, 76. 

Mosely, Joseph, 92. 

Mudge, Joseph, 105, 107. 

Mugford, William, 29, 95, 96, 98, 99. 

Nancy, brigantine, 98. 
i Nancy, schooner, 89 tons, 94. 
I Nancy, schooner, 117 tons, 106. 
\ Nason, Daniel, 115. 
!Neall, Jonathan, 98. 

Neptune, schooner, 93. 

Newhall, Timothy, 54, 115. 

Nicholls, Samuel, 91. 

Nichols, Ichabod, 24. 



Index 



1^3 



Nicholson, Thomas, 89, 90. 

Norris, Edward, 11. 

Norris, John, 24. • 

Obear, Oliver, 28. 
Ober, Andrew, 96. 
Ober, Issachar, 102. 
Olimore, Samuel, 93. 
Olive Branch, the, 115. 
Ontario, ship, 115. 
Orne, Joshua, iii, 112, 113. 
Orne, Josiah, 95, 97, 99. 
Orne, William, 76. 
Oxnard, Thomas, 108. 

Packet, schooner, 113. 

Packet, ship, 103. 

Pactolus, ship, 53, 103, 108. 

Page, Samuel, 10. 

Palafox, brig, 181 tons, 105. 

Palafox, brig, 226 tons, 106. 

Pallas, ship, 26, 100, 104. 

Parker, John, 27, lOi, 104. 

Parsons, Eben, 75. 

Parsons, William, 75. 

Patrick Henry, brig, III. 

Patriot, brig, 107. 

Patty, schooner, 98. 

Peabody, Joseph, 26, 76. 

Peach, William, 108. 

Peirce, Jerathmeel, 10. 

Perkins, J. and T. H., 75. 

Phenix, brig, 105. 

Phenix, snow, 96. 

Phillips, John, Jr., 39. 

Phillips, William, 68, 74, 82. 

Pickering, Timothy, 5; quoted, 25, 26. 

Picket, Capt., letter from G., 61. 

Pickman, B., Jr., 46. 

Pickman, Thomas, 94. 

Pierce, Isaac, 89. 

Plant, brig, 112. 

Polly, schooner, 107. 

Porcupine, brig, 106. 

Potomac, schooner, 113. 

Powder Point, schooner, 102. 

Power, Michael, ill. 

Pulling, Edward, II. 

Putnam, Jere, 15. 

Putnam, Thomas, 94, 99. 



Quero, ship, 6. 

Rachel, schooner, 106. 

Radius, brig, 58, 115. 

Rambler, brig, no. 

RamdoUolday, Mr., letter from G., 54. 

Rea, Archelaus, 28, loi, 102. 

Rea, Isaac, 95. 

Recovery, ship, 106, 

Reed, B. T., 76. 

Rentoul, Robert, 89, 90, 91. 

Rising States, ship, 28, 99. 

Robbins, Edward H., 39. 

Robbins, Rufus, no. 

Robin, schooner, 93. 

Roboreus, schooner, 1 00. 

Romp, brig, 108. 

Ropes, John T., 93. 

Roundy, Nehemiah, loi. 

Rover, brig, 63, 109. 

Rover, brigantine, loi. 

Rubicon, ship, 108. 

Russell, Benjamin, 113. 

Russell, William, 96, 97, 99. 

Ruthy, brig, 109. 

Saco, ship, 108. 

Sage, Daniel, 26, 27, 97, 100. 

St. Peter, schooner, 103, 106. 

Salem, population of, 1801, 33. 

Salem, brig, 28. 

Salem, schooner, 95. 

Salem and Danvers Aqueduct, 25. 

Saltonstall, Leverett, 33. 

Savage, William H., 114. 

Scott, Burn & Co., letter from G., 58. 

Seaman, brig, in. 

Seaver, John S., 112. 

Sewall, brig, 115. 

Shillaber, Eben, 27. 

Shillaber, Ebenezer, 96. 

Silsbee, Mrs. M. C. D., quoted, 31-33. 

Simmons, Thomas, 27. 

Simonds, Thomas, 92. 

Skillings, Nehemiah W., 107. 

Smith, Ezra, 100. 

Smith, Isaac, 91. 

Snow, Edmund, Jr., 114. 

Snow, Thomas, 91. 

Southwick, Edward, 25, 



124 



Index 



Southwick, John, 38. 
Spitfire, brig, 106. 
Sprague, Joseph, 10, 
Stanley, Edward, 102. 
Stanwood, Solomon, 28. 
Stephens, Samuel, 100. 
Stimpson, Thomas, 91. 
Stone, Zackeriah, 94. 
Story, Nathan, 109. 
Story, Joseph, 46; quoted, 47. 
Strong, Caleb, 39, 70. 
Sturgis, William, 75. 
Sullivan, James, 39. 
Swallow, schooner, 70 tons, 93. 
Swallow, schooner, 73 tons, 93. 
Swan, Ebenezer, 90. 
Swett, Capt., 115. 
Swett, Enoch, 99. 
Swett, Samuel, 32, note. 
Swift, brig, 109. 

Tayer, Edward, 107. 
Thomas, brig, 113. 
Thomas, schooner, 103. 
Thorndike, Freeborn, 102. 
Thorndike, Israel, 39, 75. 
Thurston, Nathaniel, 39. 
Ticknor, George, quoted, 79. 
Titcomb, Enoch, 39. 
Towne, Solomon, 27, 97. 
Traveller, brig, 150 tons, ill. 
Traveller, brig, 208 tons, 1 12. 
Trent, ship, loi. 
Tryall, brigantine, 99. 
Turner, Larkin, 106. 

Ultima, brig, in, 112. 
Ulysses, ship, 29, 34, 99. 
Unicorn, brigantine, 102. 
Union, brigantine, 95. 
Union, letter of marque, 91. 
Union, ship, 107. 
Urann, Richard, 112. 

Vallin Routh & Co., letter from G., 

54. 
Vengeance, brigantine, 102. 
Venus, brig, 115. 
Venus, letter of marque, 90. 
Victory, brig, 113. 



Victory, schooner, 112. 
Volant, brig, 92, 97. 

Waldo, Jonathan, 38. 

Wallace, Hezekiah, 93. 

Wallace, John, 28, 92, 96. 

Ward, Ebenezer, 96. 

Ward, Joshua, 10, 25. 

Ward, Mrs. Nancy, letter from Mrs. 

G., 17. 
Ward, Richard, 6. 
Ward, Thomas Wren, 36. 
Ward, William, 26, 27, 95; letters from 

G., 13, 20. 
Warner, John, 107. 
Washington, brig, no. 
Washington, George, 12. 
Webb, Thomas, 103. 
Welch, William, 105. 
Wellman, Timothy, 98, 100. 
Wells, ship, 100. 
West, Benjamin, 90, 91. 
West, Martha, 33. 
West, Nathaniel, 28. 
West, Thomas, 94. 
West, William, 10. 
Wheaton, Leban, 41. 
White, Joseph, 46. 
White, Stephen & Co., letter from G., 

61. 
Whitney, Elisha, 102. 
William, brig, 162 tons, 105. 
William, brig, 178 tons, 102, 106. 
William, brigantine, 95. 
William and Henry, brig, 26. 
William and Henry, brigantine, 94. 
William and Henry, ship, 97. 
Williams, George, 10. 
Williams, Samuel, 96. 
Williams, Thomas, 112. 
Wise, Daniel, Jr., 108^, in, 1 14. 
Wise, Joseph, 113. 
Woodberry, Elliott, 107. 
Woodberry, Herbert, 94. 
Woodberry, Thomas, 109. 
Woodbury, Elisha, 102. 
Woodbury, Freeborn, 98. 
Woodbury, Mark, loi. 
Woodbury, Thomas, Jr., 103, 105, 106. 
Wyer, William F., 107. 









•■'■'> '!?'■ ;■■■:'.•■' 



•■; -I./-;- 



, :i. . , ,-, ■ ■,--' '■*■■•':. -J -rrf-. ■ 
' ■'^l'>■,.,(i■•;^^;■^;'i^ 

■ ■ '■■■ '■•- :?:-f,: ■>v,?t;*;.;:^| 
















